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Fire destroys home

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, July 22, 2010, 5:16 PM)

A home at the Bass Lake Ranger District headquarters in North Fork was destroyed by fire July 15.

The home was rented by a forest service employee who was not home at the time the fire broke out at 8:20 a.m. An unnamed adult and three children escaped the fire without injury.

According to Dave Martin, district ranger, one engine and one water tender from the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department was at the scene between five and 10 minutes after the call. Within another 10 to 15 minutes, six Cal Fire engines were on the scene from Rancheria, Bass Lake and Coarsegold, along with a hot shot crew from nearby Douglas Station.

A total of 50 firefighters responded to the house fire and to protect surrounding homes and property.

Although the fire was extinguished in about 30 to 40 minutes, the two-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot home that was built in 1936, was a complete loss estimated at $150,000.

In addition to offices, there are nine residences and one barrack on the 40-acre ranger district facility that are occupied by forest service employees. The property is located on Road 225 behind the North Fork Supermarket.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.