Structure fire damages Ranchos home

A structure fire claimed a Gardnerville Ranchos home in the 800 block of Long Valley Road on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire was first reported at 4 p.m. East Fork firefighters arrived to find flames coming from the attic and garage.

“First arriving units found heavy fire and smoke conditions in the garage of the structure and two adjoining bedrooms to the rear of the home,” Battalion Chief Troy Valenzuela said. “Flame lengths, driven by high winds, were extending as much as 30 feet and threatening nearby homes, vehicles, and wildland.”

The fire quickly went to a second alarm that included wildland engines to make sure the fire didn’t spread to the field across Long Valley from the home.

“Initial companies worked quickly to protect nearby homes from the large blaze and were then able to enter the structure to stop the fire before it became fully involved,” Valenzuela said. “A coordinated effort, backed by continued work on training led to a very successful outcome on this incident. Anytime you have multiple engines operating various hoselines, things can get tricky. Our guys performed very well today and prevented this fire from causing more damage to other homes and property.”

Nobody was home at the time of the fire, however, the neighbors with assistance by firefighters saved two dogs who were inside as the fire broke out. For one German shephard, his safe refuge was quickly found in the back of the nearest fire engine.

A total of 26 members worked for four hours to contain and overhaul the involved structure.

Mutual Aid was received from Tahoe Douglas Fire, Mono County, and Carson City Fire to help cover responses during the incident. The displaced residents were taken in by the Red Cross. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Long Valley was closed at Main River Road and Langley for the fire.

Firefighters cleared the scene by 8 p.m.

The 1,182-square-foot home was built in 1978, according to the Douglas County Assessor’s Office.