A Monday morning house fire in Vancouver’s Fircrest neighborhood resulted in one person being assessed for injuries.
Vancouver firefighters responded at 9:37 a.m. to 12817 N.E. 14th St. Firefighters could see a column of smoke while they were en route, according to the Vancouver Fire Department.
The first engine arrived in five minutes and found a single-story house engulfed in flames, with fire coming from the front window and door. Firefighters stretched a hose to the front yard and knocked down the blaze as they waited for additional crews to arrive. Extra hose lines were then extended into the house to extinguish the fire and check for hot spots, a department news release states.
One resident was home at the time and escaped the fire. He was evaluated by paramedics for injuries but declined to be taken to a hospital for treatment, the news release says. No other injuries were reported.
The fire was declared under control in about 40 minutes, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.
The Red Cross was requested to assist the homeowner and his son, who were displaced by the fire, according to Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli. The Vancouver Police Department responded to provide traffic control.
Scarpelli wrote in an email that the fire was deemed preventable. Combustible materials were placed too close to the home’s fireplace, where the fire is believed to have originated.
“The occupant built a fire and then went into the garage. When he returned, he found the living room filled with black smoke,” Scarpelli said, adding that the man tried unsuccessfully to put out the flames with a garden hose.
The fire marshal estimates that about $370,000 in property was lost in the fire. The house was insured.
With fall weather chilling the area, Scarpelli reminded people to maintain a clear space of 3 feet around any fireplace or heating appliance.
