Firefighters extinguished a house fire in Clark County’s Sherwood neighborhood late Tuesday afternoon, but cleanup efforts were stalled because of a potential gas leak.
Clark County Fire District 6 crews were dispatched at 3:55 p.m. to the 3100 block of Northeast 111th Circle for a residential structure fire.
The reporting party said flames were going up the side of the house, and they heard popping near the connection to a propane tank, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a working fire on the left side of the house, fire district spokesman Dave Schmitke said.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze from outside of the home within 10 minutes, Schmitke said. The fire did not extend into the attic, he said.
Efforts to clean up the scene were put on hold when crews heard two loud booms come from the home. Schmitke said the explosions blew off the gas meter from the side of the house.
It’s unknown if the fire started outside and spread to the home’s interior, which is mainly a garage, or vice versa.
A total of five fire engines, one truck and two battalion chiefs responded to the scene. The Vancouver Fire Department also helped control the fire.
A Clark County fire marshal will investigate the cause.
