by Adam Bigby

Lopez Fire Chief

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 12:23 a.m., Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Rum Runner Road. The fire was called into 911 by the residents after they were awoken by their smoke detectors.

The first arriving fire officer found smoke throughout the area of the house farthest from their bedroom. The homeowner states that while evacuating the structure, they noticed 2-foot flames coming from the crawl space just outside the door; they took a garden hose, extinguished the exterior fire and put the hose into the vent, knocking down the flames. The first arriving engine pulled a hose and tried to make access into the crawl space, but it was determined to be too dangerous due to low clearance and smoke, so they backed out. Crews then entered the house and began cutting through the flooring. Fire had spread through the crawl space about 6 feet in every direction from the source and melted all of the electrical, phone, internet and plumbing lines. The fire was quickly extinguished. Lopez Fire and EMS was assisted by OPALCO.

Lopez Fire and EMS investigated in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and determined the cause to be an electrical transformer that feeds the low-voltage lights for the yard. No residents were injured.