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HomeLocal & Regional NewsHistoric County Hospital Annex Burns in Spectacular Sunday Morning Fire

Historic County Hospital Annex Burns in Spectacular Sunday Morning Fire

photos by Michael McArthur

A massive blaze, determined by fire investigators to be human-caused, completely destroyed a portion of the old Lassen County Hospital on Hospital Lane early Sunday morning.

Built in 1916, the building became known as the ‘annex’ when a new wing was completed at the hospital in 1951. The facility was left vacant after the opening of Banner Lassen Medical Center in May of 2003.

According to Susanville Fire Department Engineer Leon Myers, Engine 621 arrived on scene at around 6:15a.m., and reported heavy fire showing in the two-story building.

“The fire had self-vented through the roof of the structure, was well established in the common attic, and extending down the hall of the building,” explains Myers.

Fearing that there might be occupants still inside the large, unstable structure, firefighters from the next engine were assigned to a do a life safety search of the uninvolved portions of the building.

At the same time other apparatus began arriving on scene to begin an attack on the fire.

“Due to a reduced stability of the structure from the fire as well as years of deterioration, lack of maintenance, vandalism, and homeless/vagrant occupancy it was determined that fire personnel would switch to defensive tactics with a focus on protecting the surrounding exposures,” said Myers.

Firefighters were successful in their effort to contain the fire to the building origin, which was deemed a complete loss.

“With no electrical power being present in the building, the fire was determined to be human caused, the origin of the fire remains under investigation.”

Susanville Fire Department was assisted by the Susanville Police Department, Susanville Public Works, Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Cal-Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Susan River Fire Protection District and the Janesville Fire Protection District.

Jeremy Couso
Jeremy Couso
SusanvilleStuff.com Publisher/Editor
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