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News brief: Mineral house fire under investigation

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The cause of a fire that destroyed a two-story home in Mineral last week remains under investigation.

Firefighters from Lewis County Fire District 9 were joined by four other neighboring departments after being dispatched to the 100 block of Mineral Hill Road about 11:24 a.m. on Wednesday.

Heavy smoke and fire on the upper level with backdraft conditions prevented crews from going inside and other hazards included a downed live electrical wire as well as a 1,000-gallon propane tank nearby, according to District 9’s Medical Service Officer Jeanine Armstrong.

The fire was threatening another structure but they were able to protect it with no damage to that property, according to Armstrong.

Fire Investigator Jay Birley said the resident said she’d been watching television and heard some beeping she thought at first was coming from the TV.

“After awhile, she went upstairs, opened a bedroom door and was met by a wall of smoke,” Birley said.

She was able to get out and call 911, he said. Three dogs got out as well, but one cat was still missing as of Sunday morning, he said.

Birley said he still has some interviews to conduct as he continues to try to find the cause of the fire.

Armstrong indicated the house was built in the 1940s.