Homeowner escaped the fire by exiting through a bedroom window
The Vancouver Fire Department battled a duplex fire in the early morning hours Monday (May 27). At 2:15 a.m. Monday morning, fire crews were dispatched to the 3600 block of M Street for the report of a vehicle fire.
As crews were putting on their turnout gear, the incident was upgraded to a house fire as more citizens were calling 9-1-1 to report that the fire had spread to the structure.
Firefighters arrived within four minutes to find a one-story duplex where one unit was fully engulfed in flames. Crews worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading into the other unit.
Complete extinguishment of this fire proved to be difficult and time consuming as the fire had spread to the attic and was difficult to spray water to the impacted areas prompting crews to remove large areas of the ceiling and roof in order to gain enough access to the hidden hot spots.
The homeowner relayed to personnel on scene that they had escaped the fire by exiting through a bedroom window. No resident or firefighter injuries were reported. The Vancouver Fire Chaplain arrived on scene along with the American Red Cross to offer assistance to several adults and children displaced by the fire.
The Vancouver Police Department assisted the VFD with traffic control by shutting down and diverting traffic away from the area. In total, 12 fire units responded to the scene which included a total of 30 firefighters and two battalion chiefs and a fire engine from Clark County Fire District 6.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Vancouver Fire Department recommends developing a home fire escape plan and practicing it with their families on a routine basis.
Information provided by the Vancouver Fire Department.
Also read:
- Leslie Lewallen stays and fights for Washington as director of Future 42 Clark County
Former Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen is leading the Clark County chapter of Future 42, a new organization focused on policy advocacy, accountability, and engaging persuadable voters at the local and state level. - Opinion: ‘Seeking might over right destroys representative government’
Retired judge Dave Larson argues that prioritizing political power over constitutional principles has undermined representative government and calls for renewed civic responsibility. - Letter: ‘Immigration’ resolution scheduled for this Wednesday at Clark County Council Meeting
Rob Anderson urges residents to closely watch an upcoming Clark County Council meeting where an immigration-related resolution and proposed rule changes are expected to be discussed. - Opinion: The 1700-square-foot solution to Washington’s housing crisis
An opinion column arguing that Washington’s energy code has driven up housing costs and outlining how HB 2486 aims to limit those impacts for smaller, more affordable homes. - Rep. John Ley’s new bill calls for an independent audit of Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project
Rep. John Ley introduced legislation requiring an independent audit of the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project to review costs, management, and oversight. - Letter: Public school vision
Clark County resident Larry Roe urges a deeper community discussion about public school priorities, levy funding, and the long-term affordability of education for local families. - County Charter Review Commission sets meeting schedule, selects officers
The Clark County Charter Review Commission set a weekly meeting schedule beginning Feb. 4 and selected officers as it begins its review of the county charter.
