SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A South Lake Tahoe man was arrested on arson and domestic violence charges following a structure fire early Thursday morning that investigators determined was intentionally set.
Authorities received a 911 call at 4:47 a.m. reporting a possible fire at a residence on the 3300 block of Treehaven Drive.
Firefighters from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, assisted by the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, arrived to find the second story of the home fully engulfed in flames. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing damage to nearby homes or trees. No people or pets were injured.
Police determined the fire was connected to a domestic violence incident and was deliberately started. Investigators identified Jeremy Nichols, a South Lake Tahoe resident, as the suspect.
Nichols had fled the scene and was later found in a hotel room at Harrah’s Casino, where he refused to exit. With assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, officers safely arrested Nichols after obtaining a warrant.
He faces two counts of malicious arson of an inhabited structure and domestic battery. Nichols was booked into Douglas County Jail without bail, pending transfer back to California.
South Lake Tahoe Police and Fire Rescue arson investigators remained on scene, with additional support from a Sacramento City Fire Department arson investigator, as the investigation continues.
