Couple go out, return home to find Port Hadlock home destroyed by fire

PORT HADLOCK — A fire destroyed a home at 111 A St. Friday night, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue said Saturday.

The Port Hadlock house was empty at the time and there were no injuries, said fire department spokesman Bill Beezley.

The owners of the single-family home, Rick and Laurie Crawford, plan to stay in a recreational vehicle in the front yard, Beezley said.

The cause of the fire had not been determined Saturday.

Kelly Liske, a close friend of the Crawfords, said the couple lived in the home for 30 years.

“Naturally, everything they own is lost,” she said.

Liske, the branch manger of First Federal’s Port Townsend branch, said a donation account has been set up for the Crawfords at the bank.

Beezley gave this account:

The Crawfords told firefighters that they left at about 5:30 p.m.

Jefferson County Deputy Jesse Picard was patrolling nearby when a man flagged him down and directed him to the house, where flames were spurting from the left side.

Picard kicked in the front door of the smoke-filled house and called out but found the home empty.

Firefighters found the house fully engulfed in flames when they arrived at 7:57 p.m.

“The firefighter’s efforts were hampered by the unavailability of nearby fire hydrants,” Beezley said.

Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski estimated he would need at least 3,000 feet of hose to reach the nearest hydrant, called for additional water tenders and routed their water supplies through a primary pumper.

“The double-wide manufactured home, built in approximately 1978, also had three asphalt shingle roof layers under a final steel layer,” Beezley said.

“The numerous roofing layers hampered firefighter’s efforts to quench the fire by holding the heat within the home.”

Krysinski resorted to injecting chemical foam into the hose water, which helped suffocate the flames, Beezley said.

A fire watch was set overnight.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Liske said it’s unclear how much insurance will cover.

Monetary donations can be made at any First Federal branch, she said.

Non-cash donations, such as food, clothing and furniture can be made by phoning Liske at 360-344-4912 or 360-301-5223.

More in News

Mark Gregson.
Interim hospital CEO praises partnership, legacy

Gregson says goal is to solidify pact with UW Medicine in coming months

Jefferson County Auditor Brenda Huntingford, right, watches as clerk Ronnie Swafford loads a stack of ballots that were delivered from the post office on Tuesday into a machine that checks for signatures. The special election has measures affecting the Port Townsend and Brinnon school districts as well as East Jefferson Fire Rescue. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Jefferson County voters supporting school district measures, fire lid lifts

Port Townsend approving 20-year, $99.25 million construction bond

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew from Seattle Global Diving and Salvage work to remove a derelict catamaran that was stuck in the sand for weeks on a beach at the Water Front Inn on Washington Street in Port Townsend. The boat had been sunk off of Indian Point for weeks before a series of storms pushed it to this beach last week. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Derelict boat removal

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew… Continue reading

Rob Birman has served as Centrum’s executive director for 14 years. When the arts nonprofit completes its search for its next leader, Birman will transition into a role focused on capital fundraising and overseeing capital projects for buildings Centrum oversees. (Centrum)
Centrum signs lease to remain at Fort Worden for next 35 years

Executive director will transition into role focused on fundraising

Clallam approves contracts with several agencies

Funding for reimbursement, equipment replacement

Mark and Linda Secord have been named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2025.
Secords named Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Mark and Linda Secord have been chosen as Marrowstone… Continue reading

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess Payton Frank, Queen Lorelei Turner and 2025 Queen Taylor Frank. The 2026 queen was crowned by the outgoing queen during a ceremony at Chimacum High School on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rhody coronation

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess… Continue reading

Jefferson considering new site for solid waste

Commissioners direct further exploration

Public feedback still shaping Clallam ordinance on RV usage

Community Development department set to move sections of its proposal

Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading