Ridgefield home heavily damaged in early morning blaze

A man woke early Saturday morning and “smelled smoke and heard the crackling” of flames in his Ridgefield area home.

“By the grace of God he was able to escape the house and call 911,” said Tim Dawdy, spokesman for Clark County Fire and Rescue. “This guy was lucky to get out alive.”

Clark County Fire and Rescue responded at 5:30 a.m. to 18118 N.E. Delfel Road near Ridgefield, Dawdy said. Two homes sit on the property but only the house the man was living in was on fire.

Firefighters provided a “quick hit” and got water on the home right away, Dawdy said. With help from Clark County Fire District 6 and the Vancouver Fire Department, the blaze was extinguished in about 30 minutes.

Three engines, a water truck, a squad, three fire chiefs and two water centers were involved in the effort, Dawdy said. The house was heavily damaged, he said.

The fire’s cause is unknown at this time. The Clark County Fire Marshal will be investigating.

There were no injuries, which Dawdy said was a stroke of good luck with no apparent smoke alarm in the house.

“It’s a good time of year to check your smoke alarms,” Dawdy said. “If you know someone, perhaps a neighbor, who does not have one, buy one and install it for them if they need help. If you can’t afford one, go to the nearest fire station and one will be provided at no cost.”