Fire started in the garage on South Third Street in Pe Ell / Courtesy photo
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The cause of the fire that erupted in a Pe Ell house early yesterday morning remains under investigation.
Crews from three fire departments responded to the approximately 1 a.m. call to the 500 block of South Third Street.
Fire Investigator Jay Birley said the owner said he had heard a small explosion that drew his attention to the attached garage, but when he opened the man door to the garage, he saw a lot of fire, so he shut the door.
He grabbed his cell phone and his dog, got out and called 911, Birley said. He was also able to move his travel trailer and vehicle away from the home so they didn’t catch fire, he said. He was uninjured.
“I think he’s in his 80s and his dog is like 18 years old,” Birley said.
Closing that door helped slow the fire from spreading somewhat, but what wasn’t damaged by fire was damaged by water, Birley said.
The resident will be able to stay temporarily in his trailer, according to Birley.
•••
For background, read “News brief: Pe Ell home burns” from Monday June 26, 2017, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
And this too will be “undetermined” like all other fires in LC. Either we stop wasting money on so called fire investigations or get a qualified investigator for the county.