Fire burns home in Minnehaha area

A Monday afternoon fire in a home in the Minnehaha area, just outside of Vancouver city limits, displaced eight people, according to the Vancouver Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to 3605 N.E. 44th St., near Northeast St. Johns Road, around 4:15 p.m.

Vancouver Fire Department spokesman Joe Spatz said a firefighter working on a brush fire near St. Johns Road and state Highway 500 was first to arrive, and found flames coming from the small home’s front doors and windows.

When another engine crew arrived, the firefighter checked the back of the house to find only the front was burning, Spatz said.

Firefighters attacked the fire burning at the front of the house from the outside, while others rolled a hose around the back to go inside and check for people and douse the flames.

They rescued a cat and dog still inside the burning house, Spatz said, and both reportedly were doing well. No one was injured.

The fire displaced eight people, Spatz said, and the Red Cross was called to help with post-disaster relief.

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office was investigating.