Fire Sparked By Out-Of-Control Barbecue Destroys Lake County Homes
LUCERNE, Lake County (CBS SF) -- A backyard barbecue ended in disaster in Lake County Thursday night when a large fire broke out and destroyed homes.
Northshore Fire Department Chief Jay Beristianos said a man was cooking dinner on his deck in the community of Lucerne when the fire somehow got away from him. Two houses burned to the ground, including that of the man cooking, and a third was majorly damaged.
Beristianos said the whole thing could have been prevented.
"Didn't have a defensible space around the barbecue and around his home and the end result is what you see here," Beristianos said. "Respect the fire, and make sure you have it in the right place."
Several cars and outbuildings also burned but the barbecue itself was one of the only things left unscathed.
No one was hurt.
Beristianos said fire crews were dealing with hot spots at the site Friday morning. A number of residents were out Friday morning cutting overgrown weeds, he said.