House fire on Evergreen Highway during heat wave started on exterior

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office was unable to determine the cause of a June 28 fire that destroyed a house at 18337 S.E. Evergreen Highway on the hottest day in Vancouver’s recorded history.

The house was vacant, according to Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli. Although the cause of the fire is officially undetermined, Scarpelli said her office found the fire started on the exterior of the house.

Scarpelli valued the loss of the house and its contents at $337,000. The fire also burned the surrounding vegetation for about 200 to 300 yards, she said.

Boaters beating the heat on the Columbia River that day reported seeing smoke billowing from the trees on the riverbank.

The Vancouver Fire Department responded around 3:15 p.m. and initially had trouble locating the fire because those who called in the smoke couldn’t identify the address from the river. When crews arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames, according to the fire department.

Firefighters from across Clark County, Portland and the Department of Natural Resources joined the effort as the wind blew flames toward the neighboring house to the west, which became the priority for firefighters to protect.

About 75 firefighters, 25 engines, a boat and a helicopter were able to control the spread in about two hours.

There were no reported injuries.