CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An early morning house fire in Clearlake resulted in nearby evacuations and threats to other structures.
Firefighters were first dispatched to the blaze in the 4700 block of West 40th Avenue at Arnold Avenue in Clearlake at 2:45 a.m. Saturday, according to radio reports.
The first units on scene found a fully involved structure with multiple other nearby homes threatened, power lines down with high tension lines burning and read to fall, based on scene reports.
Witnesses reported that the house on fire was a large A-frame at the corner of W. 40th and Arnold avenues, which later was confirmed by the address given by incident command.
Three people were reported to have burn injuries, firefighters reported.
Lake County Fire Protection District requested engines from Cal Fire respond to assist.
Pacific Gas and Electric also was asked to come to the scene, as firefighters reported difficulty accessing the site due to the downed or burning power lines.
Shortly after 3 a.m., the Clearlake Police Department issued a Nixle alert directing people to evacuate the nearby areas on W. 40th Avenue and Hillcrest from Carrol Avenue to Lasky Avenue, and to avoid the area.
Incident command reported that the burning structure was very large and all units were in defensive mode, attempting to protect surrounding structures until they could contain the fire.
Just after 3:30 a.m., Clearlake Police issued another alert, directing people to stay away from the area between West 40th Avenue from Old Highway 53 to Hillcrest Avenue while fire crews worked in the area.
Police reported at about 3:45 a.m. that the fire was knocked down, but that people should continue to avoid the area.
Incident command said just after 4 a.m. that mop up was anticipated to take six hours.
Several units were released at about 4:45 a.m., with some units remaining at the site to work on mop up.
Additional details will be published as they become available.
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Early Saturday morning structure fire leads to evacuations in Clearlake neighborhood
- Elizabeth Larson
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