Cloverdale fire destroys cabin, truck

Cloverdale firefighters were busy Wednesday with two structure fires, including one that destroyed a cabin and a pickup at the KOA campground.

Scott Knight, 55, was watching TV inside the cabin at 1161 Asti Ridge Road shortly after 6 p.m. when he smelled smoke and went to investigate.

Although the KOA rents cabins to campground guests, this particular structure was owned by Knight, who formerly worked there, according to the fire department.

"He saw a small flame about 2 inches in height outside of the house. He ran to get a garden hose to put it out," said Cloverdale Fire Capt. Al Delsid. But, "it was an old hose, a rotted hose."

The flames rose higher, and Knight went back into the 12-by-40-foot cabin to get his glasses and cell phone.

As he ran back out onto the deck, the flames had grown to 3 to 4 feet.

"He went through flames to escape," Delsid said. Knight reportedly suffered minor burns.

A 1997 Ford Ranger was destroyed.

"We haven't determined the cause. It seems to have started in the exterior. It remains under investigation," Delsid said.

Meanwhile, a house fire earlier in the day at 32030 McCray Road was started from lint in a dryer. The 800-square-foot home was badly damaged, although no dollar estimate was immediately available.

Tenants Jerry and Minnie Brown were watching TV shortly before noon when they smelled curtains burning in a back room.

The Browns also tried to put out the fire with a garden hose, Delsid said.