PORT ANGELES — The cause of a fire that destroyed a $500,000 home east of Port Angeles on Tuesday remained under investigation Wednesday, Clallam County Fire District No. 3 officials said.
Crews from Fire Districts 2 and 3 responded to a fully-involved, two-story structure fire at 131 Pristine Lane near the end of Lake Farm Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters performed a defensive attack that prevented the blaze from spreading to a nearby outbuilding, Fire District No. 3 Assistant Chief Tony Hudson said.
No occupants or firefighters were injured, but three pets were lost, Fire District No. 3 Assistant Chief Dan Orr said.
The estimated monetary loss was $500,000 for the home and $75,000 for its contents.
“The initial fire cause and origin was completed this morning and the fire appears accidental,” Orr said in a Wednesday news release.
“Because of the extent of damage, it was not possible for the investigators to determine the exact cause at this time.”
Orr said the owner returned from an hour-long errand to find his house on fire.
“The owner tried to call for the family’s two dogs and one cat, but they perished in the blaze,” Orr said.
“The owners have lost most of their belongings.”
The family — a husband, wife and 10-year-old child — are now staying with relatives who live nearby, Orr said.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Olympic Ambulance and Clallam County Public Utility District also responded.
Deputies established a roadblock on the 600 block of Lake Farm Road to allow fire crews to shuttle water from a hydrant to the burning structure.
Two water tenders from Fire District No. 3 and one tender from Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue were deployed.
“We had lots of water once we got it established,” Hudson said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
