A large fire destroyed one home in Pioneer and nearly spread to surrounding homes and before it was stopped by emergency responders. Photo by: Bill Lavallie Jackson Junior High students Michael Merzlak and Anthony Estrada helped the fire from spreading. Photo courtesy of Eleanor Caputo Photo by: Bill Lavallie

A home on Wagon Wheel Drive in Pioneer became engulfed by flames Sunday afternoon, leading firefighters into a battle to rescue surrounding structures from the intense heat. Two local teens emerged from the smoky confusion looking heroic after they helped save a nearby house.

The fire on Wagon Wheel Drive caused emergency responders from as far as Sutter Creek to race Upcountry as its embers sparked a wildland fire in the brush nearby. The second fire soon spread to Stephanie Way.

Units from Amador Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service were soon on scene, with backup from Sutter Creek Fire Department also coming to the neighborhood's aid. By the time emergency responders arrived, the house was already at a full burn.

Helicopters were dispatched to help douse the blaze.

In the confusion, two Jackson Junior High students on their way to fish and swim at Bear River Reservoir with an adult noticed chaos ensuing. "We saw smoke rising far above the pines in dark black plumes," recalled Eleanor Caputo, who was driving students Anthony Estrada and Michael Merzlak to the lake. "Anthony wanted to check it out."

Pulling up, the boys discovered a small field on fire, not far from the bright flames on Wagon Wheel Drive. They quickly got out and attempted to stomp it down with towels. After firefighters relieved them of the duty, Estrada and Merzlak ran over to an empty home on Stephanie Lane when they noticed smoke billowing near it.

"When the got there, the flames were crawling along the dry grass toward the home," Caputo said. "It was Anthony that saw the hoses and decided to use them."

The two young men attached a few hoses together and sprayed that part of the fire out. They also began to spray down the roof on the house so it wouldn't be ignited by the blowing red embers in the air.

With that element of the situation under control, Merzlak ran over to help a man who was struggling to get his own garden hose operational. With the student's help, the man managed to prevent his own home from going up in flames.

The cause of the initial fire on Wagon Wheel Drive is still under investigation. Fire personnel said that it most likely started in the house, based on the blaze in the structure when they arrived.