UPPER LAKE – Quick thinking by some individuals and a quick response from Upper Lake firefighters helped save a home from being destroyed in a Friday night fire.

Between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. a house fire was reported at 1320 E. Highway 20, according to Ken Petz, a battalion chief with Northshore Fire Protection District.

Passersby spotted the fire and called for firefighters, then began putting the fire out with a garden hose, Petz said.

The landowner reportedly was away at the time of the fire, which Petz said started because of fireplace ashes that had been placed outside of the home, against one of its exterior walls.

The fire moved up into the eaves and attic, said Petz. Firefighters got to the scene quickly and hosed down the attic to stop the fire's spread.

Two engines, one each from Nice and Upper Lake, as well as a water tender, an attack unit and between 10 and 12 firefighters responded, said Petz.

Petz said thanks to the quick action of the people who reported the fire, the house's fire damage was minimal. “That was a good save.”

The fire was out about 20 minutes after firefighters arrived, Petz said.

Officials remained on scene until the owner returned home from a trip to Willits.

“We were there probably an hour and a half total,” said Petz.

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