With photos by Marshel Couso, Krsto Knezevich and Kimber Josh
A frightening late afternoon fire tore through a single-family residence on Shasta Street Wednesday, destroying the home and threatening adjacent structures before firefighters gained the upper hand. Left homeless were a family of five, three adults and two children, who lost everything in the blaze.
According to Fire Captain Mark Ward the Susanville Fire Department, along with automatic aid from the Susan River Fire Protection District and Cal Fire responded to a structure fire, located on the 700 block of Shasta Street, at around 4:40p.m.
When firefighters arrived on-scene the fire had already made significant headway – smoke and fire was found coming from multiple windows of the single-story residence.
Firefighters, battling through heavy smoke, performed an aggressive interior fire attack to knock down the fire, while at the same time protecting an adjacent residence.
“The extent of the fire resulted in fire, heat, and smoke damage to the main floor and attic of the building,” said Ward. The basement received no damage.
Five fire engines, one ladder truck and three Chief Officers responded to the incident and were assisted by the Susanville Police Department, Lassen OES and Red Cross. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
How you can help
On Thursday Tonya Sherwood-Appell, one of the home’s residents, reached out on social media asking for spare blankets, dishes and clothes. The children, who were home at the time of the fire, wear size 6 to 9 months for her granddaughter and 2T for her grandson. Sherwood-Appell wears 3x shirts, pants and leggings. Her husband wears 5x shirts and 44/36 pants.
If you have contributions for the family they ask that you drop them off at 525 North Mesa Street. Sherwood-Appell can be reached at 530.209.6825.
