Fire spreads from firebox into attic of South Tahoe home

A house fire that started in a box in back of a fireplace and spread into the attic of a Cold Creek Trail home was knocked down Thursday night. No one was hurt in the blaze, which was largely confined to the attic and ceiling, said Lake Valley Fire Protection District Chief Gareth Harris.
The house, located at 2497 Cold Creek Trail is not habitable but still standing. The fire was reported at around 7 p.m. Estimated damage to the home is between $75,000 to $100,000, Harris said.
The circumstances of the fire, how it ignited and spread serves as a reminder for homeowners to have their fireplace and chimney cleaned and examined annually by a licensed chimney sweep or fireplace contractor, Harris said.

Because of the Washoe Valley fire, department staffing in the basin was somewhat stretched. Thursday night's Cold Creek Trail blaze received mutual firefighting aid from the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District.
Five engines from Lake Tahoe went to the Washoe Valley fire, including an engine and strike team leader from Lake Valley, a engine from the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, one engine from Squaw Valley, an engine from Northstar and a engine from the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, said Harris.