LUCERNE – A trailer was destroyed during a late-night fire that may have been caused by smoking.
The fire was reported at about 11:40 p.m. Monday in space No. 59 at the Country Club Mobile Home Park, 3630 Country Club Drive.
Initial reports from the scene indicated that numerous 911 calls had been made to report explosions, thought to be from propane tanks.
Thick, throat- and eye-stinging smoke hung in the air throughout the park, extending a few blocks down Country Club Drive.
Four Lake County Sheriff's units oversaw the scene and the entrance to the park in order to keep people out of harm's way and allow firefighters to access the trailer.
The singlewide structure quickly burned into a twisted metal wreck, with some charred, rib-like wooden studs still left standing. Also destroyed was a small storage building situated behind the trailer.
Homes on either side were not damaged, said Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Pat Brown.
Smoke continued to billow out of a front window as firefighters doused the trailer and continued mop up operations until early in the morning.
At the scene there were reports of a water main break, which was being attended to by Cal Water.
Brown said he believed the fire may have been caused by the trailer's resident smoking.
The man was safely evacuated and transported to an area hospital, Brown said.
As firefighters were working on the trailer, neighbors in the space next door were allowed to go in and remove some clothes and other belongings. A man walked out with two small dogs under each arm.
In all, four Northshore Fire engines, three medic units, and Brown and another battalion chief responded, along with two Cal Fire engines, Brown said.
Because the trailer park backs up to an undeveloped area that leads into wildlands with high fire potential, Brown said he initially asked for more fire resources, which later were canceled.
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