Neighbor Sees Smoke And Fire, Calls Help

An alert neighbor helped save an elderly woman’s home from being destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. A live power line snapped during the storm and fell across the modular home on the 8500 block of Old Melones Dam Road in Jamestown.

County Fire Marshall Kary Hubbard explains the resident had heard a “boom” sound around 4 p.m. and went out to see what is was, but didn’t notice anything. She later began to smell smoke.

“She went outside and was screaming for help. A neighbor noticed the smoke and fire,” Hubbard said. The neighbor took the woman to her son’s home and called 911.

Damage to the 6-year-old doublewide home was limited to the roof and attic area and caused $10,000 damage.

Hubbard says the wet storm didn’t make matters easy for emergency personnel.

“It was definitely a hazard for firefighters. And the lady that was living there – she was very lucky to get out,” Hubbard said.

Fire fighters throughout Tuolumne and Calaveras counties were very busy Saturday with storm-related calls.