Fire District 6 Firefighters this morning met the challenge of getting water to a rural house fire on NW 21st Avenue.
The blaze was reported shortly after two this morning at 15508 NW 21st Avenue, North of the Salmon Creek area. When we got there flames were shooting seven feet out of several windows on the west side of the home. The residents were not inside the building when firefighters arrived.
Despite giving CPR, one dog died due to smoke inhalation from the fire. One firefighter was injured.
The residence is in a rural neighborhood, and the nearest hydrant was 1,600 feet away--that's more than half a mile.
Besides using all Fire Engines from Clark County Fire District 6, we were also assisted with a water tanker from Clark County Fire and Rescue and a Ladder Truck from Vancouver Fire.
Fire crews had to briefly exit the home as water sources were nearly extinguished. But the hydrant source was secured quickly and crews went back in to knock down the fire. It took roughly 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
Red Cross was called in to assist the four-person family but it's not known at this time if lodging was provided or the family had another place to stay. The Clark County Fire Marshal is investigating and will have any information related to the cause of the fire and the estimate of damage.