House Caught on Fire on Lake Drive a Total Loss

Black and white smoke hang over the 3800 block of Lake Drive, where SAFD firefighters have taken their hoses out against a structure fire.

Fire trucks 5 and 6, ladder 1, a fire rescue unit, two ambulances and the SAPD are on scene. 

The call came out at 8:58 a.m.

Update 10:06 a.m.

Ladder one has been extended over the structure.

Update 10:10 a.m.

Reporter on scene says it sounds as if they are breaking windows and tearing holes into the walls. 

Update 10:16 a.m.

Firemen are now "attacking it from the rear".

Update 10:19 a.m.

The fire appears to be under control.

Update 10:43 a.m.

The fire occurred at a residence at 3805 Lake Drive. Battalion Chief Fred Barnett said the initial call came in when a female near the property saw white smoke. "When we left central (fire station) we could see smoke visible from downtown. The first engine here reported heavy smoke showing. Once they reported that....they did see smoke in flames...[in] the back right-hand side of the house."

Firefighters made a passive attack, Barnett said, and due to the location the first engine was on scene for a considerable amount of time by themselves. They then made entry and discovered that the fire had moved into the attic, which was engulfed with flames. 

Presently, firefighters have not yet determined where the fire started. As the flames soared through the attic the roof began to collapse, Barnett said, and all firefighters vacated the structure. They are still working to extinguish fire within the walls of the building. "It's been a very difficult fire to put out," he said.

Barnett said they were concerned in the beginning that they may not be able to get into the house, as it is in the transition of being sold and remodeled, so "we weren't sure of the integrity of the interior of the house...we were very skeptical about going inside."

The woman who reported the fire is believed to live several blocks down and to be involved in the remodel. No one lives inside the home at the moment, nor was anyone inside the house when firemen arrived. The house, Barnett said, is considered a total loss. 

There is still fire in the walls and in some of the rooms, he said, but the partially fallen roof is obstructing entrance to those areas. 

No other structures were threatened by the fire. Due to the heat, another pumper has been called in to allow firemen time to cool down. 

Ladder 1 was deployed to check on the power lines that are within close proximity and to douse the flames from above. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.