Firefighters extinguish Johnson Lane house fire

An attic fire rendered a Johnson Lane home unlivable on Saturday afternoon.

East Fork firefighters responded to an 1,887-square-foot home at around 1:30 p.m. after receiving multiple reports flames were coming from the roof.

“On arrival, crews found smoke showing from multiple areas of the attic in the residence.  Initial arriving companies quickly made entry into the structure and found heavy smoke and light fire in the attic area,” said East Fork Battalion Chief Troy Valenzuela. “Firefighters worked from the inside as well as the roof of the structure to stop the spreading fire and before it reached the living space of the home.” 

No one was home at the time of the fire. The family cat was found and rescued without harm.  No injuries were reported. Power and gas was cut to the home.

“Our firefighters did a great job today stopping this fire and holding it to the attic,” said East Fork Battalion Chief Troy Valenzuela. “Attic fires have the potential to spread quickly in the open space and overtake the building.”

Firefighters from three stations worked for approximately three hours to fully extinguish the blaze.  The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

“With fall and winter weather coming in the next few months, East Fork would like to remind residents to be sure their furnaces and woodburning devices are in properly functioning condition,” Valenzuela said.

About 45 minutes later, firefighters were called to a report of a small wildland fire at Holstein Court in the Gardnerville Ranchos that turned out to be someone burning weeds.

That fire was extinguished.