Our local fire departments responded to a structure fire in Big Bear Lake yesterday, and the Big Bear Lake Fire Department has since released the specifics of the incident. Per the statement received today: “On the morning of October 5, the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District responded to a report of a residential structure fire in the 42600 block of Cougar Road in Big Bear Lake. Upon their arrival, units observed smoke and fire coming from a single family residence. A neighbor spotted the fire at the unoccupied residence and notified 911.
While fire damage was isolated to a portion of the west side of the structure, the interior of the home suffered moderate smoke damage, with an approximate $82,500 in total damages. Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the presence of a wood shake shingle roof contributed to the spread of the fire. In 2008, the City of Big Bear Lake adopted an ordinance requiring the replacement of wood shake shingle roofs by 2012.
There were no injuries as a result of this fire. Big Bear Lake fire personnel were assisted by units from the Big Bear City Fire Department, as well as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Fire Prevention Week began on October 4th and continues through October 10th. Says Fire Chief Rod Ballard, ‘With our busy lives, the safety of our families and homes are sometimes relegated to the back of our minds. [Yesterday’s] fire should serve as a reminder to Valley residents to install and maintain smoke alarms in the home.’
To learn more about replacing your home’s wood shake shingle roof, visit www.thinisin.org. To gain additional information about smoke alarm installation and maintenance, go to www.nfpa.org or contact the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District at 909/866-7566.”
