Well known South Lake Tahoe artist Peter Darvas injured in Pioneer Trail fire

Well-known South Shore Lake Tahoe artist Peter Darvas was being treated at Barton Memorial Hospital on Tuesday evening after he tried putting out a house fire on Pioneer Trail.

Authorities said the fire, reported shortly before 6 p.m., was at the corner of Edna and Pioneer Trail. Darvas’ home, according to city records, is at 3128 Pioneer Trail – at that corner.

According to a message from City Manager Nancy Kerry to Councilman Tom Davis, Darvas was in the house and tried to put the fire out. He was being treated at Barton Memorial Hospital.

The fire was contained to two houses, officials said. Pioneer Trail was closed to traffic while firefighters battled the blaze.

Matt Whitney, who lives on Glenwood Drive, was driving on Pioneer Trail when he saw a home on fire.

“It was smoking really bad, and it was coming out of everywhere,” Whitney said.
Whitney pulled over after seeing the fire, but said he moved his vehicle when a man came out of the house to pull a van out of the driveway. Whitney then called 911.

Former Mayor Margo Osti, who lives across the street, said Darvas’ home had been hit by fire previously, in the 1980s.

Although the home visible from across Pioneer Trail seemed to have been extensively damaged, Osti was supportive of firefighters’ efforts.

“Their job is to save a community, and that’s what they’ve done,” Osti said.

The ladder truck used to fight the fire was brought in by the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, according to Councilman Davis, who was at the scene. Davis said the incident illustrates why South Lake Tahoe needs to replace its ladder truck, something he has been arguing for. The city’s ladder truck is dated and out of compliance with certain regulations, said Davis, who noted it is also not equipped with a basket for personnel.