Homeowner lauded for quick-thinking action at Port Angeles trailer fire
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, July 1, 2015
PORT ANGELES — A quick-thinking homeowner saved his home before firefighters contained a propane-fed fire at his camping trailer Monday night, firefighters said.
At about 7:44 p.m. Monday, Les Black looked out a window of his house at 3012 Lower Elwha Road and saw flames shooting out of the top of his 19-foot camping trailer, said Assistant Fire Chief Mike DeRousie of Clallam County Fire District No. 2.
The trailer was parked close to a trailered boat and the house, DeRousie said.
Black got into his truck, moved the trailer away from the house and disconnected the truck from the trailer, then parked the truck a safe distance from the burning trailer, DeRousie said.
Moved propane tank
Black returned to the trailer, disconnected one of the two propane tanks and moved it to a safe area.
DeRousie said Black also tried to move the second propane tank, but the fire was too intense for him to get close.
Before firefighters arrived, dry grass caught fire around the trailer.
“He got a hose and was putting out the grass fire when we arrived,” DeRousie said.
The trailer was engulfed when firefighters arrived with a fire engine, two water tenders and a wildland brush engine, DeRousie added.
DeRousie said firefighters were able to get the fire under control.
The remaining large propane tank did not explode, but several smaller cook-stove propane tanks inside the trailer did.
Investigators believe the fire started at a propane-powered refrigerator.
Black told fire investigators that he lit the pilot three hours before the fire started. The first flames appeared just above the refrigerator, he said.
Two Elwha Police Department officers assisted at the scene.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
