Officials continue to investigate cause of Camas house fire

Camas-Washougal Fire Marshal Ron Schumacher said Monday that the cause of the blaze that destroyed the two-story home is still under investigation.

According to Fire Chief Nick Swinhart, emergency crews from the C-W Fire Department were called to 1524 S.E. Seventh Ave., near the Camas Community Center, at approximately 11:30 a.m., to a report of an “appliance fire.” On arrival, crews found a single family dwelling with fire showing from the entire first floor and spreading to the second floor.

“A quick attack to extinguish the fire was made through the windows of the structure until more support staff and equipment could arrive,” a news release stated. “Once they were on scene, crews were able to fully extinguish the fire.”

Neighbors Alvin and Tracy Owens said they were getting ready to leave to run errands when they noticed flames coming out of the house’s first floor east window. Alvin called 911.

“I had to look twice,” Tracy said. “At first I thought it was smoke from a chimney. I saw there wasn’t one. That’s when I turned around and said ‘the house is on fire.'”

The owners of the home were not inside when the fire started.

According to Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Miller, several deceased animals were found in the home including one dog, one cat and 10 baby chicks.

According to Clark County property records, the 1,066 square foot house is owned by Thomas and Maria Drinkwater. It was originally built in 1925.