By Paula Peterson
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LVFPD firefighter uses chain saw and pole to open up the siding to fight the fire. Photo by STN. -
Fire Thursday Night. Photo from Carolyn Phillips. -
First Responders on Oneidas St. Photo from Carolyn Phillips. -
Heavy smoke from fire inside home Friday. Photo from STN. -
Heavy smoke remain where two decks once were. Friday. Photo from STN. -
Heavy smoke from fire inside home Friday. Photo from STN. -
Heavy smoke from fire inside home Friday. Photo from STN. -
LVFPD firefighters work to put out fire. Photo by STN. -
Heavy smoke from fire inside home Friday. Photo from STN.
MEYERS, Calif. – Firefighters are still on the scene of a house fire Friday morning. At 8:31 p.m. Thursday, Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) responded to the home on Oneidas Street in Meyers. Upon arrival they found the home fully engulfed in flames and quickly called in available fire agency resources from around Lake Tahoe.
The resident of the two-story home was inside when fire broke out and was alerted by a smoke detector, allowing him to get out quickly. Firefighters had difficulty fighting this fire due to contents and materials both inside and outside the home, preventing them from getting to the seat of the fire. They couldn’t get inside to fight the fire due to high risk so all resources were from the outside.
“We’re lucky this didn’t happen in summer,” said LVFPD Chief Brad Zlendick.
There was snow around the home, but high winds could have made this situation even worse, Zlendick said. As it was, they played a factor in the fire.
Inside the home was also stored ammunition which caused cannisters to pop into the street and “little booms” according to neighbors watching Thursday night.
Joining LVFPD were South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, North Tahoe Fire, Cal Tahoe JPA Ambulance, CHP and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. South Tahoe Public Utility District, Liberty Utilities and Southwest Gas were also at the scene. Off duty LVFPD personnel were called into cover the community.
After thirteen hours, smoke and flames were still causing issues this morning. One group of firefighters left after their 12-hour shift, allowing a fresh team to start at 8:00 a.m., Zlendick said.
The Red Cross has been called to assist the homeowner. His neighbors and friends were also at the home Friday to assist. The homeowner suffered some burns to his hands and face. Medics addressed those at the scene but further care of the burns was suggested and he has been been hospitalized.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help homeowner Gary Stuber with expenses as he finds a new place to live. He got out only with the clothes on his back. For information on this fundraiser, visit HERE.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.