Triplex fire in Hough neighborhood displaces four

A fire at a small, two-story triplex displaced four tenants of a second-story unit early Monday morning.

Crews with the Vancouver Fire Department were called shortly after 5:30 a.m. for a fire at 1017 W. 21st St., in Vancouver’s Hough neighborhood.

The first crew dispatched saw smoke in the distance and called for two additional engines, firefighter Jesse Martin said.

Firefighters found fire showing from a second-story window on the back side of the triplex, Martin said, and knocked down the majority of fire with a hose from outside the building. The blaze was brought under control in about 20 minutes, he said.

One adult and three children were inside the unit when the fire started. Working smoke detectors woke them, and they got out safely, Martin said.

No one was reported injured in the fire.

The Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents.

A total of five engines, a ladder truck and 20 firefighters responded, Martin said, which included assistance from Clark County Fire District 6.

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.