South Lake Tahoe fire displaces occupants of six apartments

8:00 p.m.update 12/7/16: South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has ended their command at the 10th street apartments that suffered major damage in a blaze earlier today. The loss is estimated to be $250,000.

The unit where the fire started is uninhabitable, upper units received some water and heat damage as the fire spread up to the second floor by lapping up the outside of the structure. The fire did not extend into the attic space.

Red Cross is helping the fire victims with temporary housing.

SLTFR thanked Lake Valley and Tahoe Douglas Fire Departments, the South Lake Tahoe Police and Building Departments and Cal Tahoe JPA for their assistance with the emergency.

This structure required a 1200 foot hose lay with 5 inch supply line.

"We are thankful the fire occurred during daylight hours, if the fire occurred at night it could have been devastating," said SLTFR Chief Jeff Meston. "Night time fires are often called in later due to lack of awake reporting parties and it's likely that occupants would have been asleep in all 6 units creating a significant life hazard."

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A Wednesday afternoon fire in South Lake Tahoe caused major damage to a six-unit apartment house on 10th street between James Avenue and SR89.

The first 911 call was made at 12:45 p.m. by an elderly man living in the center apartment on the bottom floor of the apartment building, which is where the fire originated according to Capt. Jim Drennan of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue.

Two of the six units suffered smoke damage, and four of the six have structural damage, especially around the doors and windows. One apartment is fully destroyed.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire. The Red Cross was on the scene to assist in the relocation of the occupants of all six apartments. It is unknown if the victims are utilizing those services, or staying with friends or family.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) personnel and SLTRFR and SLT Police investigators were still on the scene at 3:00 p.m. Al Martinez of SLTFR is the lead investigator on the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.