News brief: Mailbox explosion ignited small forest fire in Adna

Updated at 9:06 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning it is investigating a third-degree malicious mischief in Adna, where someone blew up a mailbox and started a small forest fire early yesterday.

Deputies learned that around 4 a.m. two neighbors in the area of the 600 block of Brockway Road near Lanakila Lane heard an explosion and then the sound of either a truck or an ATV with a loud exhaust speeding away, according to the sheriff’s office.

A neighbor arriving home at 4:30 a.m. discovered the flames which had spread to trees and brush and covered an area of about 100 feet by 50 feet, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.

Firefighters from two departments responded, and put out the fire, described as burning grass and trees on a long private driveway and not threatening any structures; they finished their work about 7 a.m., according to Lewis County Fire Districts 6.

Brown said the fire was quickly extinguished and two mailboxes were damaged by an unknown explosive incendiary device or a firework.

The victims are a 59-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, according to the sheriff’s office. Brown said the loss is $20.

Personnel from the state Department of Natural Resources are investigating, according to Brown.

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One Response to “News brief: Mailbox explosion ignited small forest fire in Adna”

  1. Sally says:

    The sheriffs office said the loss is $20.00 well they have not bought a new mailbox lately.