Fire causes major damage to Venersborg home

Fire caused extensive damage to a rented house in Venersborg at 21713 N.E. Risto Road early Sunday morning.

Fire District 3 Deputy Chief Scott Sorenson said the renter, a man believed to be in his 50s, was awakened by a smoke detector and escaped unharmed at 4:31 a.m.

Fifteen firefighters responded from District 3 and Clark County Fire & Rescue. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Clark Public Utilities, the Red Cross, and American Medical Response were also on the scene.

No firefighters were injured.

Risto Road between Northeast 212th Avenue and 227th Avenue was closed for 31/2 hours, Sorenson said.

The house, just above Salmon Creek, is owned by Rito and Marilyn Venegas of Bakersfield, Calif., according to Clark County property records.

The cause is under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The renter’s name was not released.