A fire damaged a vacant house in the Hough neighborhood Monday afternoon, and no one was hurt or displaced.
Firefighters were called to a fire at 711 W. 21st St. around 2:40 p.m.
The Vancouver Fire Department said the first crews at the scene saw flames showing from the rear of a small, one-story, single-family house.
Firefighters made their way to the back of the house and found a fire in the building’s attic.
They sprayed water from the outside while other firefighters started opening up the ceiling from inside the house.
The department said it took the 15 firefighters at the scene about 15 minutes to put out the fire. Crews remained at the scene for about another hour to open up walls and ensure there were no other hot spots. No one was hurt or displaced, the department said.
Lead Deputy Vancouver Fire Marshal Chad Lawry said roofers were working on the home, and they somehow caused a short in some electrical wiring, which led to the fire.
The most recent county property records indicate it had been bought by a local contractor, Nyland Homes, that specializes in refurbishing and reselling homes.
Fresh shingles were still stacked on the roof as firefighters worked.