Fire destroys shop in Battle Ground

Firefighters in Battle Ground responded to a shop fire Thursday night and got the blaze under control within 15 minutes, but the building was destroyed in that short amount of time.

Clark County Fire District 3 crews were dispatched at 7:09 p.m. to 23019 N.E. 182nd Ave., for a report of a structure fire. The fire district deployed four engines to the address, Battalion Chief Dave O’Brien said.

The first engine arrived within five minutes and came upon what O’Brien described as a single-story, 30-by-40 barn in flames. It appeared the structure was nearly fully engulfed in flames, according to the battalion chief.

“Crews used two hydrants to supply hose lines and (an elevated water) gun to extinguish the majority of the fire,” the fire district said in a news release.

The firefighters attacked the blaze from the outside; they did not go inside, O’Brien said. The building contained “normal barn stuff,” he said. There is no indication animals were kept in the building.

The structure is considered a complete loss. No one was injured as a result of the fire or during the response.

Large tractor-trailers and a motor home were parked nearby, and it’s unknown if they were damaged, O’Brien said.

An excavator was used to assist in the mop-up of the structurally damaged building. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Clark County Public Works helped with four hours of cleanup.

A significant amount of ice formed on leftover debris from water used during the response, O’Brien said.

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Firefighters found no initial indicators about what may have ignited the blaze.

The fire district said several vehicles drove over hydrant lines supplying water while firefighters worked to stop the blaze. The impatient drivers created a safety hazard for responders who lost water pressure.

“Nearly $1,500 in fire hose was lost. Fire hose is not designed to be driven over,” the fire district said. To illustrate the point, the fire district posted a video to Facebook showing a hose rip open under the tires of a car whose driver decided turning around was too much work.

Officials had asked drivers to turn around and find another route.

Here’s the video Fire District 3 shared: