Multiple agencies respond to fire at Sierra House Elementary

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif - An automatic fire alarm was triggered by a fire inside Sierra House Elementary school at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, November 11, bringing out a full response from fire fighters around the lake and law enforcement.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) was the first on the scene and saw smoke coming from the school which is located at Pioneer Trail and Remington Trail. Once inside they found fire in what is known as the upper pod at the school.

A full response joined LVFPD - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Police, Tahoe Douglas Fire with an engine and their ladder truck, North Tahoe Fire, and engine from Meek's Bay Fire, Calfire, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol.

According to Kileigh Labrado, the LVFPD PIO, there was one classroom off a hallway on fire when firefighters arrived and they were able to contain the fire to that room. Another small classroom suffered some damage as did the attic.

The school's principal, Karin Holmes got to the school right away and was joined by Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater and Billy Wessell, the district's CBOO. All went into the school once deemed safe along with Mrs. Mansfield, a teacher, and their custodian.

Dr. Tarwater said they will wait until Monday to see what the school situation will be on Tuesday. If all water and smoke can be removed they will hold school as normal, but the damage and smoke may cause them to move some classroom space around.

He said it was the reading room and another room off the upper pod hallway that were damaged by fire. Parents, teachers and students will be updated by the District on Monday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.