All residents were able to safely evacuate the Christmas morning fire, but four dogs and one cat died at the scene
Residents of a house fire early Christmas morning were able to safely escape but their pets perished in the blaze.
At 12:16 a.m. early Christmas morning, crews from the Vancouver Fire Department were dispatched to 4710 NE 137th Ave. in Vancouver for the report of a house fire. The first crew members to arrive on the scene found a one-story home that was on fire. The next arriving fire engines and trucks began to extinguish the fire and search for possible victims.
The fire was quickly extinguished. All residents were out of the house but four dogs and one cat perished on scene before the fire department arrived. Crews then switched to an overhaul mode and to save as many personal belongings as possible including many unopened Christmas gifts, photographs and other personal items.
There were 19 Vancouver Fire professionals on scene. Three people were displaced from the residence. The Red Cross was notified. The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate.
Members of the Vancouver Fire Department remind area residents to remember to check smoke detectors on a regular basis.
Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.
