Late night motel fire in South Lake Tahoe displaces 10 people

Ten people had to find other accommodations Monday night after a suspicious fire started at the Tahoe Pines Lodge and destroyed three units.

The lodge in South Lake Tahoe is located behind the Sno-Flake Drive Inn and is used primarily as a residential motel. The American Red Cross gave the displaced residents rooms at the Howard Johnson Express Inn for three days.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston told South Tahoe Now the fire started in a utility room and spread from the first floor, to the second and into the attic. He said damage is estimated at $30,000 due to fire, smoke and water damage. "It will be up to the building owner to work with the building department to determine when the damaged wing of the lodge can reopen." There is currently no electricity or water in the burned units.