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News brief: Fire destroys Rochester home

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Six people are displaced by a fire that tore through their Rochester home last.

Nobody was injured but firefighters are still on the scene this morning putting out hot spots, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

Crews were called about 10:25 p.m. to the two-story home on the 11600 block of 183rd Avenue Southwest, according to Chief Robert Scott. Flames were already coming through the roof and the second story, Scott said.

The occupants are two adults and four children, he said.

“I think they were getting ready for bed when they were alerted by a working smoke detector at the top of the stairs,” Scott said. “If this had happened in the middle of the night, the outcome would have been much different.”

The family got them selves and their pets out, and called 911, according to Scott.

The house is still standing, but what wasn’t burned by fire is damaged by smoke and water, he said. He estimated the loss at $100,000.

Five area fire departments assisted, bringing water because its an area without fire hydrants, Scott said.

He said the wood home, built in 1901, was a challenge because of hidden spaces and multiple roofs.

The Red Cross was called in to help the family, he said.

The owner of the house has insurance, but the family living there did not have renters insurance, according to the fire department.

Investigators are there this morning trying to determine the cause, he said.