[1]The upstairs is ruined by fire but both occupants were sleeping downstairs. / Courtesy photo by Grays Harbor County Fire DIstrict 1.
Updated at 6:55 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Two bedridden Oakville area residents survived an overnight fire that seriously damaged a two-story home.
The rescue was initiated by neighbors and a Chehalis tribal officer, according to Grays Harbor County Fire DIstrict 1.
As many as five individuals were on the scene, using a chainsaw to cut an opening in the front of the house because one man had to be brought out in his hospital bed and an older woman in her power wheelchair, Fire Chief Kevin Witt said.
“Me and another firefighter were first in, and they were well on their way to cutting the wall and cutting the studs by the time we got there,” Witt said. He called their work heroic.
The calls came about 2:15 a.m. to the residence on the 2300 block of South Bank Road, from the owners who woke up as well as from several neighbors who saw flames, according to Witt.
Members of fire departments from Elma, Rochester and Centralia responded to assist in battling the blaze which left the upper floor heavily damaged, and the first floor with smoke and water damage, he said.
The male occupant – described as middle aged – was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, because of his previous medical condition, Witt said.
The woman was checked by medics and arrangements were made for her to stay at the Eagles Landing Hotel, he said.
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Lt. Lanette Dyer praised the extraordinary efforts when she viewed the scene today.
“In the light of the day I’m standing here in ‘awe’ over the extraordinary feat that the tribal police, neighbors and firefighters did to save lives,” Dyer stated in a news release. “To see what effort they did to rescue people who were unable to rescue themselves. This is what communities do.”
Witt said the pair were alerted by working fire detectors.
Firefighters remained on the scene until about 5:30 a.m.
The home is on the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis reservation and the cause is under investigation by the tribal building official, Witt said.