More details revealed about Portola house fire, which included injuries and a death
The day after a fire destroyed a home, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has released more information about the June 15 event, including the fact that two individuals escaped the burning structure with injuries, and a third died at the scene.
As has been previously reported, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a structure fire at 365 3rd Ave. in Portola at 12:46 a.m. on June 15.
Fire personnel from Beckwourth, Eastern Plumas, Graeagle, and Sierra Valley fire departments responded, as well as officers from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office.
Today, the office announced that when deputies arrived on the scene, they determined that all occupants of the residence were out safely. Deputies then began evacuating neighboring homes. The occupants of the residence told a deputy that Kevin Taylor was responsible for starting the fire. Kevin Taylor is the estranged husband of Christian Taylor who resides in the home with her teenage son. Christian and her son were treated for minor burns and later released from the hospital.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office along with an arson investigator from Calfire were called out to conduct an arson and attempted homicide investigation. Deputies began an extensive search of the Portola area for Kevin Taylor.
During the investigation of the fire, a burned human body was found in the debris. The body was discovered on the front porch where it is believed that the fire was started. The remains were removed and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and the identity of the remains.
The Sheriff’s Office has been unable to locate Kevin Taylor. At this time in the investigation, it is believed that Kevin Taylor started the fire at the residence and took his own life as a result. The case is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office.
