Two adult fatalities were discovered inside the residential structure during overhaul operations, along with several pets

Two adults and several pets perished in a house fire early Thursday (Dec. 15) in North Clark County.

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and Clark County Fire District 3 were dispatched at 4:32 a.m. to a residential structure fire at 24416 NE 50^th Avenue in Clark County. The reporting caller indicated hearing a “loud bang” which woke them up, then spotted “lots of flames from the side” of the involved address.   

The initial response included three fire engines, one ladder truck, one battalion chief, and two water tenders.    

CCFR Engine 26 from the Dollar’s Corner fire station arrived at 04:42 AM to a small, mobile home type residence, with a working fire on what initially appeared as the exterior of the residential structure – as well as the adjacent barn / shop type structure.  Engine 26 stretched a handline for fire control, in the offensive strategy.  Engine 26’s officer, Captain Dan Ferber, then performed his 360-degree evaluations of both structures – finding substantial fire involvement to the rear of the residential structure, along with defensive fire conditions throughout its interior.  Engine 26 transitioned their fire attack to a defensive attack, concentrating on limiting the fire spread throughout the already damaged structures.   

Battalion Chief 21 arrived and dispatched additional water tenders to the scene to assist with water supply. Mutual aid units from Clark County Fire District 10 and the Vancouver Fire Department responded, including Water Tender 103, Water Tender 7, Engine 7, and Battalion Chief 2.  

The well-involved fires were brought under control with defensive fire streams, with firefighters then working over the next couple hours to extinguish hot spots and overhaul the area.  Both structures received heavy damage throughout.   

Two adult fatalities were discovered inside the residential structure during overhaul operations, along with several pets. 

The fire is under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.    

CCFR was assisted on this fire by responders from Clark County Fire District 3, the Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 10, American Medical Response, the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. 

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue would like to remind citizens that working smoke alarms are critical equipment and should be maintained yearly, and replaced after 10 years. If you are looking to build a new home, please consider installing a fire sprinkler system.  Contact Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue for more information on home fire safety.  

Information provided by Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.