Physically challenged resident trapped inside the home was rescued by crews from East County Fire and Rescue and Camas-Washougal Fire Department

Early Tuesday (Feb. 20) morning, East County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) was dispatched along with units from the Camas-Washougal and Vancouver Fire Departments to a residential fire with a trapped, physically challenged occupant at 412 NE Blair Road. 

The first ECFR engine arrived at a working fire in a small one-story house and a resident confirmed that a physically challenged occupant was trapped in his bedroom. The firefighters from Engine 91 quickly stretched a hoseline to confine the fire and the captain from Engine 91 assisted by the crew of Camas-Washougal Fire Department Engine 43 rescued the trapped occupant.

The fire was quickly knocked down and the building was searched for additional occupants. Operations were hindered by the large amount of contents in the building and energized electrical wiring. Final extinguishment was delayed until the Clark Public Utility District personnel could cut power to the building. 

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s initial investigation indicated that the fire was accidental and it originated in the electrical panel of the home.

East County Fire and Rescue provides fire and life safety services to roughly 10,500 people over 60 square miles in southeast Clark County. ECFR is a combination full-time, part-time, and volunteer-staffed fire district responding to an average of 1,100 calls a year on both sides of the Washougal River.

Information provided by East County Fire and Rescue.