On June 23, 2013,
around 2:42 in the morning, dispatch advised patrol units of a reported
structure fire on 7th
Street in Jamestown. Cpl. Dickson, Dep. Christiansen, and Dep. Newman
were the first to arrive in the area; followed by Dep. Imlach, Dep. Speers, and
Sgt. Bogolea.
The first
Deputies to arrive on scene found a trailer completely on fire. The fire was spreading
to the nearby duplex with power lines down and arcing. Cpl. Dickson, Dep.
Christiansen, and Dep. Newman immediately began evacuating the duplex closest
to the original fire. As they did so, the back wall of the duplex became
engulfed with flames, filling the apartments with smoke. Cpl. Dickson, Dep.
Christiansen, and Dep. Newman were able to locate and evacuate all of the
occupants. Many of the occupants had been asleep and were completely unaware
the building was on fire.
The additional
Sheriff’s personnel began to evacuate the adjacent duplexes having to force
entry in most cases. Sheriff’s personnel were able to evacuate at least three
sets of duplex apartments and account for the residents before the first fire
department units arrived on scene.
Sheriff’s
personnel were able to keep onlookers out of the area, attend to the needs of
the displaced, and obtain witness statements while the fire department
attempted to get the fire under control.
Thank you,
Sgt. James Oliver
Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office