The Susanville Fire Department is releasing details surrounding the New Year’s morning residential structure fire on Richmond Road that burned a century-old home and displaced it’s occupant.
According to the fire department’s report firefighters were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 400 block of Richmond Road at around 7:30 Wednesday morning, January 1st.
First responders arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure. Firefighting efforts were hampered by a metal roof and voids created from multiple additions built onto the original 1914 structure.
There were 14 fire apparatus and 40 firefighters on scene to battle the blaze and no fire fighter injuries were reported.
There was heavy damage to the two story residence and the occupant was relocated by Red Cross to a local motel.
Personnel from the Susanville Fire Department were assisted by firefighters and equipment from Susan River Fire Protection District, Janesville Fire Protection District, Standish Litchfield Fire Protection District, Cal Fire, Susanville Police Department, California Correctional Department, American Red Cross, Lassen Municipal Utility District, and Susanville City Public Works.
A preliminary investigation determined the fire was caused by over-loaded electrical circuits. The Susanville Fire Department urges all residents to check electrical connections for overheating and keep electric space heaters on low or on separate circuits.
