Susanville Fire says SIFC dispatched the department along with CALFIRE to a report of a fence fire on the 100 block of North Mesa around 1 pm Thursday. When Clafire engines arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the back of the home.
Emergency responders were told there was still a person inside needing rescue. A team quickly entered the house and removed the occupant safely. SEMSA took the unidentified person for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Crews knocked down the flames that caused significant damage to the house and a neighboring shed. The home has been declared uninhabitable and red-tagged by the city building department.
Once the overhaul was completed, a fire investigation began. The fire was determined to have originated in the home’s backyard; however, the cause is still under investigation. Investigators are waiting to review surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area.
The department says aside from the person who was rescued from the home, no other injuries were reported, yet two cats perished due to smoke inhalation. The Susanville Fire Department was supported by CalFire, Susan River Fire District, CDCR Fire, Janesville Fire, City of Susanville Gas, Water, and Building Departments, LMUD, and the Susanville Police Department.
