On January 12, 2026 at 0839 a neighbor called 911 witnessing smoke coming from a residence of an elderly man. The caller was unsure if the man was still inside. OC911 dispatched Monroe Fire Department. Car 2 arrived on scene and declared an active chimney fire. The resident of the house was located and evacuated. Lakeside E535 responded, along with engines from the other stations. The resident of the house was Lakeside 50-year Life Member Erich Christerer.

Eric uses the wood burning stove as his primary heat source to cut down on living expenses. The fire severally damaged the chimney. Quotes to repair the chimney are $9,250. In addition, if the funds are raised, we would like to help clean up the other damage caused by the fire inside his residence, as well as fix a leaking roof on the other side of the house. We are looking to raise money to support a neighbor in need that gave 50 years volunteering for Lakeside and his neighbors in Monroe.