No people were home at the time of the incident, and a single cat was rescued

At 11:52 a.m. Thursday (July 3), the Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a house fire at 1819 SE 146th Ct. in Vancouver.  

The initial-arriving fire engine reported dark smoke coming from a window on the second floor approximately five minutes after being dispatched. The fire was extinguished within minutes and contained to one room in the house.  No people were home at the time of the incident, and a single cat was rescued.  

Due to a battery being compromised in the fire, the Vancouver Fire Regional Hazmat Team was dispatched to deal with the cells on scene.  The Hazmat Team used Tyvek suits to limit firefighter exposure to the toxic gases emitted by batteries and discharged/cooled the cells using a brine solution to prevent any possible thermal runaway. 

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate.

Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.