A two-alarm fire that destroyed a shop in Battle Ground last week was sparked by improper use of a wood stove, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The stove was apparently not in good condition at the time of the fire, which began around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday.
A plume of thick, black smoke from the blaze at 12112 N.E. 191st St. could be seen from miles around. The incident affected traffic as fire engines parked on state Highway 503 to access hydrants. Deputies and a firefighter rescued a man who went back into his house to retrieve belongings.
Although there was smoke damage throughout the residence and the side of the home facing the shop was scorched, the inside of the house remained intact. The fire destroyed greenhouses to the west of the shop, along with a neighbor’s car. The neighbor’s camping trailer also was damaged.
