LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Fire and law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into a Monday morning house fire in Clearlake Oaks that claimed the lives of three people.
Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Mike Ciancio said his agency’s investigators and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are working together to determine the fire’s cause.
Ciancio told Lake County News on Wednesday that he did have an estimate for when the work might be completed.
Neither agency has so far released the names of the three adult victims – two males and a female.
Sheriff’s Lt. Rich Ward said the autopsies are expected to be conducted this week, but positive identification could take several weeks.
Ciancio said firefighters from the Northshore Fire and Lake County Fire, along with sheriff’s deputies responded to the fire at 7:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Bass Lane in Clearlake Oaks.
He said the firefighters arrived within minutes and found a two-story home fully involved with reports of victims trapped inside.
Due to the heavy smoke and fire conditions, as well as partial building collapse, Ciancio said defensive tactics were utilized to extinguish the fire.
Ciancio said the firefight was hampered by a limited water supply and the need to keep the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
The fire was controlled at approximately 9 a.m., Ciancio said.
He said two of the victims were located during the fire overhaul and investigation. A third victim was located on Tuesday.
“We would like to remind everyone to check and maintain their smoke detectors in their home. A smoke detector can provide valuable seconds for gathering loved ones and escaping a fire,” Ciancio said.
Ciancio said Northshore Fire offered its thanks to Lake County Fire, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Clearlake Oaks Water, California Office of Emergency Services, the city of Lakeport, All In One Towing and Wilderness Finders Search Dogs for their assistance at this incident.
Authorities continue investigation into fatal Clearlake Oaks house fire
- Lake County News reports
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