Two local homes burn

during weekend

POULSBO — Two structure fires in 12 hours kept local firefighters busy and left several North Kitsap residents homeless for the holidays last weekend.

The first blaze occurred on Viking Way, and was reported at about 2:10 p.m. Dec. 16, said officials from the Poulsbo Fire Department. Firefighters at the scene determined that the family which resided there was out at the time and the home was vacant. The structure was a total loss in the fire, officials said.

The Poulsbo Fire Department has “adopted” the family and donated Christmas gifts to its members, officials said.

The second house fire was reported at about 2:35 a.m. Dec. 17 on Gunderson Road and Rova Road, officials said.

Firefighters arrived on scene to see the structure, a mother-in-law dwelling, fully engulfed in flames. An explosion erupted in the house just as crews arrived, officials said. The single occupant was reported to have left the site of the blaze shortly after the explosion, and drove himself to Harrison Hospital.

From there, he was airlifted to the Harborview Burn Center, officials said.

The causes of both fires are unknown and are under investigation, officials said.

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews assisted the PFD with both fires.

Suquamish man arrested

after hit-and-run accident

SUQUAMISH — A 53-year-old Suquamish resident was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Dec. 17 after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident on State Route 305 and Madison Avenue on Bainbridge Island, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

The man said he stopped at Meadowmear Golf Course after he got off work at Bainbridge Island High School, deputies said.

Deputies were able to locate him at his residence in Suquamish, and gave him several field sobriety tests. He was then arrested for driving under the influence, deputies said.

Teenager resists arrest

after domestic dispute

POULSBO — A 14-year-old Poulsbo resident was arrested after he was reported to have threatened his mother, 47, and sister, 18, at about 7:20 p.m. Dec. 15, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived on scene to find several holes punched in the walls of the home, and arrested the teenager for malicious mischief.

Once in handcuffs, the teenager made it difficult for deputies to walk him outside to the patrol car, deputies said. They were able to calm him down and took him to Kitsap County juvenile hall. There he was booked for malicious mischief, second degree assault and resisting arrest, deputies said.