Early morning fire partially destroys home in Anderson

An early morning fire could have ended in tragedy for the owners of a home on Gaines Lane in Anderson. According to bystanders, it was because of barking dogs that the owners of the home awoke to find their house in flames on Friday, Feb. 10.

“The fire was first reported at 1:45 a.m.,” said Linda Galvan, information officer for Cal-Fire/Shasta County Fire Department.

Bystanders reported that the fire started in the attic of the residence that is located on Gaines Lane in Anderson.

“We had four engines,” said Galvan, “three water tenders and one breathing support that came from the Cottonwood Fire District.”

Equipment was pulled from both Anderson’s and Cottonwood’s Fire Protection Districts as well as Shasta County Fire.

“When they got there,” said Galvan, “it was 50 to 60 percent involved.”

Despite the size of the fire, however, firefighters were able to keep the fire contained, said Galvan, aided in large part by the construction of the home.

“Because it’s one of the older, ranch-style home,” said Galvan, “the support structure on it was much sturdier than some of the homes built today. It was safer for the firefighters to go in than some of the newer homes today.”

Firefighters were able to go in and get their job done without worrying, said Galvan, who also reported that firefighters attacked the flames with a “rapid, aggressive, interior attack” that ultimately stopped the fire in its tracks.

“They got in there with some water and got the fire out very quickly,” said Galvan. “It did not get any bigger.”

Galvan stated fire crews were able to save three rooms and the contents of those rooms.

One person received medical attention at the scene, said Galvan, but they were treated and not sent to the hospital.