Credit: VFD

A fire at 608 15th St in Vancouver was called into 911 at 640 AM Tuesday Morning. Firefighters were dispatched and arrived to find a fully involved house fire. This house was a known abandoned structure that was frequented by unauthorized personnel and firefighters had previously developed a preplan to safely extinguish a fire if one started there, as in this very case. The difference in strategy between this particular house fire as compared to other fires is that firefighters preplanned to make large cuts around the windows of the structure to make it safer and easier to extinguish the fire. The house was full of debris and unauthorized belongings so it was safer to fight most of the fire from the outside first. An excavator was called to the scene through Vancouver Public Works to assist in safely knocking down the structure since it had suffered extensive damage. About 5 fire engines, 2 ladder trucks, 2 Battalion chiefs and several support staff were on scene for a total of about 32 personnel. A few units were on scene for several hours ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Attic Fire in apartment

At 5:31pm on October 20^th, Vancouver Fire units responded to an apartment fire at 3700 E Fourth Plain Blvd.  Initial reports to 911 stated that the building was experiencing electrical problems. The first arriving fire engine found fire through the roof of the 2 story structure.  Additional crews were called to the scene due to the size of the building and presence of fire in the attic.  Firefighters were able to stop the attic fire from below before it ran the length of the 16 unit building.  Red Cross responded to help with 7 people that were displaced from their homes.  Fire District 6 personnel also assisted in the fire attack efforts.  Further inquiries can be directed to Vancouver Fire Marshals who are conducting the investigation.