LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities are investigating a fatal early morning house fire in Clearlake Oaks that claimed the lives of three people.

Lt. Rich Ward of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that at 8:14 a.m. Monday deputies were dispatched to the 700th block of Bass Lane in Clearlake Oaks for a reported structure fire.

Deputies arrived and spoke with personnel from the Northshore Fire Protection District and learned that fire personnel responded to the structure fire at approximately 7:30 a.m., Ward said.

Upon firefighters’ arrival, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire was contained, fire personnel suspected there may have been victims trapped within the residence, Ward said.

Ward said deputies canvassed the area and spoke with several residents. They learned a family of three lived within the home where the structure fire had occurred and the family’s vehicles were still present.

Deputies remained on scene until the remains of the structure were safe to search. Ward said the deputies recovered the remains of two suspected male adults and one female adult.

He said potential next of kin have been notified, however, the victims’ identities are pending a forensic examination.

The autopsies are anticipated to be performed later this week, but the positive identification of the victims could take several weeks, Ward said.

The Northshore Fire Protection District remains the primary investigating agency to determine the cause and origin of the fire, Ward said.

He said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office or the North Shore Fire Protection District.