The cause of a residential structure fire that displaced three people in Battle Ground is under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Shortly after 4:38 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, crews from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, Clark County Fire District 3 and the Vancouver Fire Department were dispatched to a call from a person who stated flames were coming out of a garage at 18612 NE 92nd Ave., stated a news release.
An occupant in the house later indicated he was woken up by one of their dogs who was barking, which then alerted him to the smell of smoke. The occupants then called 911 and evacuated the structure, stated the release from CCFR.
Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one battalion chief and two water tenders were initially dispatched to the scene.
CCFR Engine 26 arrived in under 10 minutes from the Dollar’s Corner fire station to find an approximately 3,000-square-foot, two story home “with a working fire in the garage — with the fire already extending to the second-floor living area,” stated the release.
Engine 26 stretched a handline to initiate the fire attack after they confirmed with the homeowner that all occupants had safely excited the structure.
The garage fire, which included two vehicles, was brought under control and firefighters worked to bring the second-floor fire and its extension into the attic space under control.
“Firefighters were able to limit the fire’s extension, preventing further damage to the living area of the structure,” stated the release from CCFR.
Two adults and a child were displaced by the fire. Both of their dogs were accounted for and uninjured. Firefighters also helped retrieve multiple pet snakes from the structure and handed them over to the homeowners.
“There were no injuries at this incident, mainly due in part to the reporting party’s initial actions. Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue would like to acknowledge the reporting party’s correct actions in identifying the hazard, activating 911, alerting all occupants, then evacuating all occupants from the structure,” stated the release. “The reporting party demonstrated a perfect example of ‘get out and stay out,’ thereby enabling our first-arriving crews to concentrate on fire attack and retrieval of the remaining pets inside the structure.”
The cause of the fire had not been determined as of the news release sent on Nov. 10.
CCFR was assisted by Clark County Fire District 3, the Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 6, American Medical Response and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
In all, seven fire engines, one ladder truck, four chief officers, two fire investigators, three water tenders and one AMR ambulance responded, with 36 total personnel.
