POULSBO — A North Kitsap Fire & Rescue firefighter sustained minor injuries when he fell through the floor of a house during a fire that broke out at 3 a.m. Dec. 29 in Poulsbo.
The firefighter was treated at Harrison Medical Center and released, Poulsbo Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Matson reported. A young woman who was housesitting when the fire broke out suffered minor smoke inhalation, was examined by firefighters but refused transportation to the hospital, Matson reported. Two cats were found deceased.
Poulsbo Fire Department, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue and Navy Region Northwest went to the scene on NE Arbutus Court near downtown Poulsbo. The structure was a two-story triplex. A 20-year-old woman awoke to find a couch on fire in the living room on the main floor. She called 911. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke and flames coming from the south side of the structure.
Poulsbo Police awakened the neighbors in the adjoining units. They advised a young couple in the lower unit and an 80-year-old female in the upper unit to evacuate, Matson reported.
“Given the fast-moving nature of the fire, Poulsbo command called for a second alarm,” Matson reported. “Command also called for a complete evacuation of all firefighters from the residence after the firefighter fell through the first floor. This summoned even more units from Kingston, Silverdale, Bremerton, and the nearby military base.
“The newer home was likely built with light-weight construction. According to a Underwriters Laboratory ‘Report on Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber in Fire Conditions,’ lightweight construction flooring systems have been shown to fail up to three times faster than traditional sawn wood flooring.”
The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire, and it is unknown whether they had insurance, Matson reported. The 80-year-old woman in the neighboring triplex was helped by the Red Cross, and the young couple in the lower unit returned to their residences.
Fire damage to the main unit is extensive and there is significant water and smoke damage.
Firefighters search for hot spots after an early morning fire in a residence near downtown Poulsbo, Dec. 29. Jody Matson / Poulsbo Fire Department
