Firefighters respond to an early morning fire at Olympic Ambulance early Tuesday. (Clallam County Fire District 3)

Firefighters respond to an early morning fire at Olympic Ambulance early Tuesday. (Clallam County Fire District 3)

Early morning Sequim fire destroys ambulances, structure

Damage estimated as likely to exceed $500,000; none hurt

SEQUIM — Two ambulances out of Olympic Ambulance’s fleet of more than 45 were destroyed in an early Tuesday morning fire at the Sequim-based business.

No one was hurt and services will not be disrupted, said David Nuelle, CEO of the private company at 601 W. Hendrickson Road, which has operated in Clallam County for 50 years. Temporary replacements for the damaged ambulances were on their way from other counties served by the company: Kitsap, Mason and Thurston, he said late Tuesday.

The cause of the 2 a.m. fire, which also destroyed a metal carport, remained under investigation late Tuesday.

Damage estimates are likely to exceed $500,000, said officials with Clallam County Fire District 3.

“We’re very grateful for the outpouring of support form other agencies,” Nuelle said.

“We’ve had terrific community outreach.”

Witnesses described to firefighters an explosion and an ambulance engulfed in flames a little after 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The blaze spread to the carport and the heat damaged a second ambulance, Nuelle said.

The fire began seven minutes after an ambulance which had been in service was parked in the carport, Nuelle said.

Firefighters from Sequim, Blyn and Carlsborg were called. Sequim police officers blocked off roadways between Seventh Avenue and Garry Oak Drive while crews stretched a hose line across the street to provide water for the blaze.

Off-duty personnel and Fire District 3 volunteers were called in for additional assistance, said Fire District 3 officials.

Fire District 2 of Port Angeles was also dispatched to the scene and responded with a fire engine, district chief and four personnel.

Fire District 3 had a medic unit, two fire engines, a water tender, a rescue truck, a rehab unit, multiple volunteers and a duty chief at the fire.

More in News

The Peninsula Crisis Response Team responded with two armored vehicles on Tuesday when a 37-year-old Sequim man barricaded himself in a residence in the 200 block of Village Lane in Sequim. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Man barricaded with rifle arrested

Suspect had fired shots in direction of deputies, sheriff says

An interior view of the 12-passenger, all-electric hydrofoil ferry before it made a demonstration run on Port Townsend Bay on Saturday. Standing in the aisle is David Tyler, the co-founder and managing director of Artemis Technologies, the designer and builder of the carbon fiber boat. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Demonstration provides glimpse of potential for ferry service

Battery-powered hydrofoil could open water travel

Electronic edition of newspaper set for Thursday holiday

Peninsula Daily News will have an electronic edition only… Continue reading

Juliet Shidler, 6, tries on a flower-adorned headband she made with her mother, Rachel Shidler of Port Angeles, during Saturday’s Summertide celebration in Webster’s Woods sculpture park at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The event, which marks the beginning of the summer season, featured food, music, crafts and other activities for youths and adults. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Summertide festival

Juliet Shidler, 6, tries on a flower-adorned headband she made with her… Continue reading

Law enforcement agencies to participate in Torch Run

Clallam County law enforcement agencies will participate in the… Continue reading

Crews contain wildland fire near Fisher Cove Road

Crews from Clallam County Fire District 2 quickly contained… Continue reading

Crescent School senior Audrey Gales, right, looks at the homemade regalia worn by fellow senior Hayden Horn on Saturday. Gales had a handmade Native American cap ready for her graduation. Seventeen Crescent students graduated during traditional ceremonies in the school gym. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Crescent graduation

Crescent School senior Audrey Gales, right, looks at the homemade regalia worn… Continue reading

Pertussis cases see 25-fold increase statewide in 2024

The state Department of Health reported an increase in pertussis… Continue reading

Frank Lowenstein was hired as the Dungeness River Nature Center’s executive director in September 2024. (Frank Lowenstein)
River center director dismissed

Board is looking for candidate to fill role

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of the Clallam County Courthouse on Saturday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Demonstrators march at courthouse

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading