No injuries reported in blaze at one-story, 6-plex building
Residents of an apartment building in Woodland escaped a Thursday fire without injury, however one pet could not be saved in the blaze that completely destroyed two units.
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) units were dispatched at 5:13 p.m. Thursday to a report of an apartment on fire at 1307 Goerig Street in Woodland. CCFR Engine 29 from the Woodland station arrived at 5:17 p.m. to find a one-story, 6-plex building with one apartment fully engulfed in flames. The strong westerly breeze was pushing the fire into the unit next to the fire apartment and into the attic space. Due to the volume of fire and the possibility of extension to more apartment units, crews called for a second alarm to bring additional resources to the scene.
The Engine 29 crew held the fire in check until more units could arrive to assist. Once more assistance was on scene, the fire was fully extinguished and the apartments were checked for occupants. In addition, crews needed to complete a “trench-cut” in the roof to prevent the fire from spreading further in the attic. This was an older apartment building (construction date unknown) and it did not contain an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Two apartment units were completely destroyed by the fire. Three additional units were damaged by smoke and heat. Six occupants were displaced by the fire. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the displaced occupants.
There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians at this fire. Firefighters attempted to resuscitate a pet that was removed from one of the apartments, but unfortunately the pet could not be saved. CCFR was assisted on this incident by Cowlitz County Fire District 1, Clark County Fire District 6, Clark County Fire District 3, and the Vancouver Fire Department.
The fire is under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office. CCFR crews remained on scene until approximately 10 p.m. to completely overhaul the fire and assist the investigators.
Information provided by Clark-Cowlitz Fire & Rescue.
