PORT TOWNSEND — A fire last week destroyed a house, but firefighters were able to save the surrounding wooded area, East Jefferson Fire Rescue said.
The house was unoccupied and no one was hurt, said Leah Speser, public information officer for the department, on Saturday.
The cause of the early morning fire on April 15 near the intersection of Sims Way and Mill Road in Port Townsend remains under investigation, according to Speser.
Firefighters answering a 911 call at 2:53 a.m. that day found the home beyond saving and the adjourning woods starting to burn, Speser said.
Assisted by a unit from Navy Region Northwest, East Jefferson Fire Rescue firefighters extinguished the house fire and eliminated the danger of fire to the forest and nearby structures within the first hour on site, she said.
“It was fortunate it was damp, which mitigated against a larger forest fire threat,” said Assistant Chief Brian Tracer.
Heavy equipment was used once it became light to remove debris to ensure no embers remained.
The fire of the wood-frame house was reported by the owner, who lived nearby, and a passerby.
The structure was a rental unit being prepared for new occupants, Speser said.
It is estimated over 2,000 gallons of water were flowed from a nearby hydrant to quench the fire.
