Port Angeles firefighters stop spread of garage fire before it hits home

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, February 2, 2016

PORT ANGELES — Firefighters were called too late to save a garage building but kept flames from spreading to a home early Monday morning.

No one was hurt in the fire reported a little after 3 a.m. at 512 S. Alder Road in the Four Seasons Park community east of Port Angeles.

Flames consumed the garage and storage building before firefighters from Clallam County Fire District Nos. 2 and 3 arrived, said District No. 2 Chief Sam Phillips.

The 625-square-foot wooden storage building was engulfed in flames when it was discovered by Jesse Spencer, occupant of a manufactured home located next to the storage building, Phillips said.

Phillips said the cause of the fire has not yet been identified but that it did not initially appear to be of suspicious origin.

Loss estimated at $45,000

The loss of the building and contents was estimated to be about $45,000.

Spencer told firefighters he was asleep in his home when he was awakened by a loud noise outside at about 3:14 a.m., Phillips said.

When Spencer looked outside, he saw the garage-type outbuilding in flames and called 9-1-1, he said.

He told dispatchers the fire was spreading toward his home.

Firefighters from the two fire districts stopped the flames from spreading to the nearby home and another outside storage building adjacent to the fire.

In addition to the building, the fire destroyed two motorcycles, fuel cans and an assortment of tools and other personal belongings, Phillips said.

Spencer told fire investigators he did not have insurance on the outbuilding.

Fire District No. 2 sent 11 firefighters, three engines, a water tender and a command unit.

Fire District No. 3 provided assistance to District No. 2 with two engines, a medic unit, a water tender and a duty officer.