First Responders Release More Tuolumne Fatal Fire Information

Photo taken by: Tuolumne County Fire Dept.

Tuolumne, CA – First responders are releasing new information related to a deadly house fire in the Tuolumne community this past weekend.

Fire officials recount how the victim, 84-year-old Richard Mello, was found and how they tried to save him. As earlier reported here, the flames broke out in the home in the 18000 block of Bodenhammer Avenue around 8:12 pm on Saturday, October 5, 2024. It was reported as a residential structure fire with possible occupants still in the home.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the home was 50% involved in flames, and one of the residents was found outside. He had sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a Sacramento burn center. Firefighters began to search for Mello but could not get into the home through the front door due to the heavy fire conditions of smoke and flames.

“Firefighters were able to gain access through a bedroom window, found the unresponsive occupant in the heavy smoke and fire conditions, and with the assistance of other firefighters, were able to remove the occupant through the window. Firefighters and paramedics from TCA immediately attempted to resuscitate the occupant, but sadly he did not survive,” according to fire officials.

Resources on the scene of the fire included the Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Department, CAL Fire TCU, CAL Fire/Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD), Tuolumne County Ambulance (TCA), and Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). The TCFD Investigation Unit is assisting the Tuolumne Fire District in determining what caused the blaze.