Fire damages South Lake Tahoe home

A single-family home at 1723 High Meadows Court was significantly damaged after a fire broke out there about 3:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Firefighters from the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, Lake Valley and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, Cal Fire, and U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire, which was under control shortly after fire crews arrived.

A female occupant of the house, Modesto resident Diane Coburn, experienced breathing problems following the fire and was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital as a precaution, said Lake Valley spokeswoman Leona Allen.

Coburn's husband, Art, said the two were enjoying the second-to-last day of a week-long stay at the rental property when they smelled smoke.

Knowing it was unlikely anyone would be using a fireplace on such a warm day, they investigated and found flames at the front of the house, Coburn said.

Following the discovery, the couple called 911 and evacuated, Coburn said.

The front end of the house sustained substantial damage.

The cause of the fire had not been determined.

"All indications point to it starting on the outside, but that is still under investigation," said Lake Valley Fire Chief Jeff Michael.

The house's wood shake roof, a lack of defensible space on the property, and recent hot, dry weather created the potential for the fire to be much worse, Allen said.