Homes and businesses with extreme clutter are very dangerous for firefighters
Firefighters from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR), Clark County Fire District 3, and the Vancouver Fire Department were called out at 2:12 p.m. Wednesday (March 16) to a report of a house on fire at 8710 NE 244th Street in the Cherry Grove area of Clark County.
CCFR Engine 26 from the Dollars Corner station arrived on scene seven minutes later and announced that there was a working fire in a single-story residence and that “we are going to have access issues.” This was an alert to incoming fire units that it was going to be difficult to get to the house.
Fire and smoke were visible from windows in the kitchen and living room. However, the yard around the house was so cluttered with vehicles, appliances, and storage bins that firefighters were unable to quickly stretch hose lines to the structure. Once firefighters were able to clear out some of the clutter and make access to the house, the fire had grown too large to safely make an offensive interior attack. In addition, the interior spaces of the house were also very cluttered with high piles of clothing, storage bins, appliances, furniture, and other items.
Homes and businesses with extreme clutter are very dangerous for firefighters. When combined with a smoky environment, firefighters can become lost in the clutter. The piles can tip over and crush or entrap firefighters. In addition, the additional weight of all of the materials can cause an early collapse of floors and walls.
According to CCFR Fire Chief John Nohr, “In 37 years in the fire service, this is one of the most extremely cluttered homes I’ve ever seen. I feel for the family that has lost all of their possessions, but I also feel for the firefighters who put themselves at significant risk trying to fight a fire in a house this full.”
Firefighters took up “defensive” positions and sprayed water from outside the structure to control the fire. Due to the amount of material inside the structure, it will be difficult to ensure full extinguishment due to hotspots under the debris. Firefighters are expected to be on scene through the night trying to get to all of the remaining hotspots of fire.
“Normally in these types of fires, we bring in a track hoe to tear apart the piles,” said Chief Nohr. “Due to the clutter in the yard, we won’t be able to get heavy equipment in there to help with extinguishment.”
The CCFR Incident Commander (IC) called for Clark County Animal Control to come to the scene to evaluate four horses in the barn next to the house. The animals were not threatened by the fire. However, the condition of the horses necessitated an evaluation by officers from Animal Control.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time. Fire Investigators from the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office were on scene to conduct an investigation.
Three adults were displaced by the fire. They will be staying with nearby family members. There were no injuries at this incident.
There were no nearby fire hydrants, so water tenders were used to bring in water from the nearest fire hydrant nearly a mile away.
Resources on scene included five fire engines, two ladder trucks, four water tenders, seven chief officers, three fire investigators and 34 personnel.
Information provided by Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.
