MILLER BAY ESTATES — A couple was displaced but the majority of their home was saved from a fire in an attached shed early Dec. 8, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue spokeswoman Michele Laboda reported.
Firefighters contended with frigid temperatures and a lack of fire hydrants in the area in extinguishing the blaze. “Though the investigator says that the precise cause of the blaze remains undetermined, it appears to have been accidental in nature,” Laboda reported.
NKF&R and Poulsbo Fire Department crews were called to the Wavecrest Avenue home at 5:44 a.m. Because the fire started outside the home, no smoke alarms activated initially. Instead, the occupants smelled smoke and heard unusual noises coming from outside.
“Upon investigating, they found flames and called 911,” Laboda reported. “The couple evacuated themselves and the majority of their pets – three dogs and some turtles – but were initially unable to find the family cat. After crews left the scene, the feline reappeared and was apparently uninjured.”
The first engine arrived on scene in just over nine minutes after dispatch. Flames were visible from several blocks away and, upon crews’ arrival, heavy smoke was coming from all of the 1,200-square-foot single-story house’s attic vents. With only two hydrants in the Miller Bay Estates development, firefighters had to use the limited water available in the fire engines’ tanks – about 500 gallons each – to knock down the fire while they awaited arrival of water trucks carrying 2,000 – 3,000 gallons each.
The shed and its contents, which included a large volume of heirloom antiques, were almost entirely consumed by the fire. Strengthened by the significant amount of combustible materials inside, the shed fire spread to the home’s wall, eaves, into the attic and through a small portion of the roof. To reach and fully-extinguish hot spots in the overhead spaces, crews had to remove the ceiling in the room closest to that wall. The rest of the small home’s structure survived intact but the interior spaces sustained smoke and water damage throughout.
An investigator from the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene. Based on occupants’ statements and physical evidence, she was able to rule out arson as a possible cause. It is also clear that the fire started in the small shed where a series of extension cords was providing power to a space heater. With the onset of cold weather earlier this week, the couple had started using the heater at night to protect the stored items inside the shed. The investigator couldn’t determine whether the cords or the appliance was responsible for the fire.
“Though we can’t be certain of this fire’s exact cause, we know that space heaters and extension cords are responsible for many fires – especially in cold weather,” Laboda reported. Space heaters are most safely operated when plugged directly into a fixed outlet. They also need room; officials recommend keeping combustibles at least three feet away from all heat sources, including space heaters.
Use of extension cords should be limited. Cords should not be chained together or subjected to mechanical damage from over-insulation or pinching. To protect families from fire, whatever the cause, Laboda said that working smoke alarms are essential, as is a practiced fire escape plan.
The couple is insured, and volunteers from the American Red Cross responded to provide immediate assistance to the couple. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
