California's Cameron Park Fire Department suffered massive damage Monday after a welder on the roof sparked a two-alarm blaze.
About a third of the building was destroyed, including the fire station's living quarters and administration offices, said Bill Draper, Assistant Chief in charge of administration at the California State Forestry.
The station's apparatus and shop area, and their equipment, were not damaged. The building's repair cost is estimated at $750,000 but Draper said the department is fully insured. "To the best of our knowledge, insurance will cover the replacements," he said.
Draper said the fire was sparked by a welder fixing broken water pipes that had recently flooded the station's first and second floors. The fire was later observed coming from the roof and was reported about 11 a.m.
Cameron Park firefighters were the first on scene and were able to access their gear and respond to the fire. Several other fire departments also responded including El Dorado County and the California State Forestry, which served as incident command. Draper said there were about fifteen engines and several trucks on the scene.
Draper said the department is still operating out of the station, by bringing in portable living quarters and using a vacant sheriff's office for administration space.
Cameron Park fire officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
