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Longview, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire Department responded to a two-story shop on fire Thursday afternoon just after 1:30 in the 100 block of Niblett Way. Fire crews arrived on scene and reported the shop fully involved in fire. Firefighters attacked the fire with multiple hose lines and protected other nearby structures and other exposures from catching fire. Firefighters had the fire under control at 2:48. Two residents escaped without injury, are now displaced, and will receive aid from the American Red Cross. Two fire engines, a Ladder Truck, a water tender, a medic unit, and three Chief Officers responded to the incident. Cowlitz County PUD and Sheriff deputies also responded. No injuries were reported; the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Kelso, WA – Multiple occupants were sent to the hospital after a head-on collision near Melrose Ln and Old Pacific Hwy Thursday afternoon just after 4 pm. Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire Department responded to the car wreck and used hydraulic extrication tools (jaws of life) and saws to free one driver. Two patients involved in the accident were transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. John’s Medical Center in Longview and the other was flown by a Life Flight helicopter to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver for undisclosed injuries. Law enforcement also responded to the accident and was first on scene. An off-duty firefighter was also on scene, before on-duty firefighters arrived and assisted with vehicle stabilization and patient triage. The cause of the accident has not been determined yet by officials.
Kelso, WA – Kelso police rescued an elderly disabled man from a house fire in the 200 block of South 9th Ave Friday morning just before 6 am. The house had flames visible from the second story and smoke from the front door when they arrived. The male was inside the living room on the couch; Officers Voelker and McNulty immediately entered the home and removed the male to safety. Fire crews activated a second alarm because other residents were still inside. Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire responded to the fire attacking it with multiple hose lines; the deceased elderly female was found just outside her bedroom in the back of the house. Other residents who were sleeping upstairs were able to escape without injuries or smoke inhalation before responders arrived.
Firefighters had the fire controlled at 6:21 am and fully extinguished at 8 am. American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents with temporary shelter and other needs. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No other injuries were reported.
Kelso, WA - Multiple agencies responded to a two-vehicle accident including a semi-truck rollover accident Friday evening at 11:23 near the Interstate 5 Southbound off-ramp, exit 42. Initial reports were that the driver of the semi-truck was still pinned in the truck on its side. Washington State Patrol, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, Longview Fire Dept. and Cowlitz County Fire District 6 (Castle Rock) responded. Firefighters used multiple stabilizing equipment, hydraulic extrication tools (jaws of life), and saws to manipulate and remove the entangled metal from around the man’s body. It took rescuers over 2 hours to finally extricate him. The 57-year-old -male was transported by ambulance to Peace Health St. John’s Medical Center for muscular skeletal injuries including a severe injury to his lower left leg. He was later transferred South to a trauma hospital for further treatment. The other driver of a passenger truck was also taken to St. John’s Medical Center for chest pain.
Two fire engines, one ladder truck, three medic units, and three Chief Officers responded. A heavy tow truck wrecker from Carl’s Towing also responded and assisted in stabilizing and moving the truck so responders could gain better access to the driver compartment.
Multiple responders, some with over 20 years of experience, expressed that this was one of the most challenging and complex car accidents, involving extrication of a patient, they had experienced in their careers.
Longview, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, Longview Fire, Cowlitz County Fire District 5 (Kalama), and Cowlitz County Fire District 6 (Castle Rock) responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Ridgecrest Dr. just before noon Wednesday. Fire crews arrived and reported the double-wide manufactured home 75 percent involved in fire. Firefighters attacked the fire with multiple hose lines and had the fire extinguished at 1:58pm. One resident was not home and the other was able to exit the property safely.
Three fire engines, four water tenders, two medic units, and three Chief Officers responded to the fire. Cowlitz County Sheriff deputies and Cowlitz County PUD also responded. American Red Cross is aiding the displaced residents with temporary housing and other needs. The cause of the fire is under investigation and is believed to be accidental. No injuries were reported.
Kelso, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Kelso Police responded to a tree onto a house with power lines down at 7:46 Tuesday evening in the 100 block of Union Way. Responders arrived and advised all neighboring residents to remain inside. Firefighters requested Cowlitz County PUD to respond and secure power to the homes. Firefighters confirmed that the family was able to vacate the home and were safely inside a neighbor’s house. Cowlitz County PUD arrived and shut the power off to the area and secured the downed lines. Fire officials estimate the tree size to be 3 feet in diameter.
The family of five and their dog will stay with family in the area until the morning. American Red Cross has been contacted and will assist the family with housing and other needs. No injuries were reported.
Multiple patients transported to St Johns Medical Center after a rollover collision in the 9500 Block of State Route 4.
November 17, 2024
At 0454 hours Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue was dispatched for an injury accident in the 9500 Block of State Route 4.
911 dispatchers received multiple calls about the accident advising it was a rolled over vehicle with 6 patients. The responding Battalion Chief requested additional ambulances and fire engines to assist with patient care. Mutual aid was provided by Longview Fire Department. A lifeFlight helicopter was placed on standby at the Kelso Airport for potential transport to hospitals in Vancouver and Portland. The first Cowlitz 2 unit to arrive advised of a rolled over vehicle blocking the roadway with a total of 6 occupants, two of the patients were deemed critical with one of those being ejected from the vehicle in the rollover. 4 patients were able to walk or stand and had less severe injuries. 5 patients were transported from the scene to St Johns medical center and one was taken by Washington State Patrol to St Johns Medical Center for evaluation.
In total, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire Department sent 5 ALS ambulances, 3 ALS engine and ladder crews, 1 Battalion Chief and one Chief Officer.
Battalion Chief Joe Tone