UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Friday evening fire attributed to a juvenile playing with fire did major damage to two homes in the Blue Lakes area west of Upper Lake.
The incident was first dispatched as a garage fire on Diane Lane just before 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to radio traffic.
Northshore Fire was first on scene, with Cal Fire and Lakeport Fire later responding to assist.
Shortly after firefighters first arrived on scene, they reported that the fire had spread from the first residence to a second one. Utility lines also were down, with the California Highway Patrol asked to help with traffic control, reports from the scene indicated.
Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos reported over the radio that the fire was controlled at about 7:30 p.m., with several hours of mop up necessary.
Beristianos told Lake County News on Saturday that the fire started in the garage of the first residence and extended to the rest of the home, causing major damage.
In the second home – a vacation residence – firefighters were able to confine the fire to the attic, although that home also had major damage, Beristianos said.
The fire displaced three adults and one child from the first home, Beristianos said.
He said a family dog got out safely before the fire progressed much, with a second trapped and later found alive in a room that had only minor damage.
In addition to the canines, Beristianos said firefighters also were able to save the family's pet lizard.
He said the cause of the fire was determined to be a juvenile playing with fire in the garage of the first home, where the fire initially was reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Family displaced by Friday evening fire that burned homes
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On