Investigation continues into fire that destroyed riverfront house in east Vancouver

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to investigate a Monday afternoon fire that destroyed a riverfront house at 18337 S.E. Evergreen Highway.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived around 3:15 p.m.

The estimated property and contents loss was $336,304, according to Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli.

A previous story described the house that burned as being at 18333 S.E. Evergreen Highway, but that home was not damaged in the fire, according to the Vancouver Fire Department.

Boaters on the Columbia River called 911 to report seeing smoke in trees near the river, but they couldn’t identify an exact address, fire department spokesman Jesse Martin said.

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, and no one was home, Martin said.

Fire crews rotated off the line into the shade or an air-conditioned ambulance to keep safe from the heat every 10 to 15 minutes, as the temperature reached 115 degrees outside.

The nearby railroad shut down during the response. Brush and trees burned in an area about 200 to 300 feet in diameter, Martin said.