Even though flames were contained to the garage, smoke damage is so great that a South Shore family is unable to occupy their home.

A fire erupted about 11:30am Jan. 17 on Alice Lake in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County.

The blaze started near the furnace and water heater area.

“We are not sure if it was the appliances or something around them,” Lake Valley fire Capt. Chad Stephen told Lake Tahoe News.

No one was home at the time, and there were no injuries.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report