Resident saved, two cats perish in North Mesa Street fire

Firefighters rescued a disabled person during a Thursday afternoon fire at a North Mesa residence. Unfortunately, two cats were lost due to smoke inhalation.

According to a statement from the Susanville Fire Department, about 12:54 p.m. Thursday, July 18, the Susanville Interagency Dispatch Center dispatched the SFD and CalFire to a reported fence and backyard fire in the 100 block of North Mesa Street.

CalFire E2261 arrived on scene and encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the residence. E2261 was advised a person remained inside the residence confined to a bed and unable to get out of the home. E2261 along with members of the Susanville Police Deptartment made entry into the front of the house and successfully removed the occupant. SFD Truck 1 arrived on scene and immediately upgraded the response to a working structure fire.

T1 requested SEMSA for treatment and transport of the rescued occupant. E2261, T1, and SFD E622 worked together to extinguish the house fire and a shed fire next door.

CDCR E5210 arrived on scene and assisted with extinguishment and salvage and overhaul. The fire damage was limited to the back three rooms of the residence with smoke damage throughout the rest of the residence. The residence was deemed uninhabitable and red tagged by the city building department.

Once the overhaul was completed, a fire investigation began. The fire was determined to have originated in the backyard of the residence; however, the cause is still under investigation.

Investigators are waiting to review surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area.

The rescued occupant suffered smoke inhalation injuries, and there were no firefighter injuries.

Unfortunately, two cats perished inside the residence due to smoke inhalation.

CalFire, the Susan River Fire District, CDCR Fire, Janesville Fire, the Susanville Gas, Water and Building Departments, LMUD and the Susanville Police Department supported the SFD.

The SFD reminds citizens to dispose of burning items properly and to make sure you have the correct number of working smoke detectors in your residence.