KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A fire destroyed a group home for children in Kelseyville early Wednesday morning.
The fire, at a residence at 5585 Sunrise Drive, was first reported at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Initial reports on the fire from witnesses raised concerns that additional homes were threatened.
Kelseyville Fire Capt. Jim Dowdy said the structure already was well involved by the time firefighters arrived on scene.
Neighbors reported that the residence was a group home, which Dowdy confirmed, explaining that children with special needs were living there at the time.
All five of the home's occupants safely evacuated, Dowdy said, adding they were able to find accommodations nearby.
Kelseyville Fire sent its chief, three engines and a water tender, Dowdy said. Lakeport Fire's chief and an engine also responded, along with two engines and a chief came from Cal Fire and a water tender from Lake County Fire.
Dowdy said a total of 20 firefighting personnel worked the incident through the night.
He said all of the damage was confined to the home where the fire began, with no other structures damaged.
After the fire was contained, overhaul and mop up continued well into the morning. Dowdy said Kelseyville Fire crews returned to quarters after 10 a.m.
Dowdy didn't have a total loss estimate late Wednesday morning.
“The house is going to be a total loss,” he said.
The fire's cause is under investigation, Dowdy said.
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