Structure Fires
Fire at Cascade Grill
13/05/09 13:44
Orcas Island
Fire & Rescue responded on May 12th to a reported
“Grill Fire” at Cascade Harbor Grill near Rosario
Resort, but when they got there, it was all BUT a
cooking fire! Eastsound Engine 21, Rescue 21, Chief
Harris and seven firefighters arrived to assist
manager Dave Mowrey (who is also a firefighter
lieutenant/EMT) in extinguishing a fire in the crawl
space below the building. The fire started when a
stray spark from welding spread flame to floor
joists. Although hard to access, the fire did minimal
damage thanks to quick response on everyone’s part.
The fire department used the thermal imaging camera
to check for “heat” in the walls and floor which pin
points hot spots. This tool greatly limits the need
to remove sheetrock and flooring while searching for
fire “extension”.
Captain Rick Anda works to open access to the interior wall just above the fire location to insure complete extinguishment.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
Captain Rick Anda works to open access to the interior wall just above the fire location to insure complete extinguishment.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
Restaurant Fire In Eastsound
23/01/09 16:32
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to a report of smoke throughout the Our House Mall building at just after 6:30 am Friday morning. Eastsound Engine 21 arrived on scene and was directed to Chimayo’s at the back of the building. A witness reported seeing fire on the floor in the restaurant. The Westsound Engine arrived with Ian Wareham who immediately hooked into a hydrant to increase the amount of water available to fight fire. Division Chief Mik Preysz took command and directed Lt. Jeff Jones to force open the back door. Then Ian and Capt. Max Jones entered to find a large burning hole in the floor of the main dining area. Temperatures in the building were extremely high causing a ceiling fan to melt. They quickly extinguished the fire while several other firefighters checked the adjoining shops and offices.
Melted ceiling fan
Heavy smoke and soot blackened the restaurant and pushed smoke throughout the entire building. Due to the building's multiple shops, offices and its' location near the heart of the village, there was a large response of equipment and manpower. Engines from Rosario, Obstruction Pass and Orcas plus two water tankers and the rescue unit were on scene with 15 firefighters: George Schermerhorn, Kevin McCoy, Dean Dougherty, Jim Schuh, Gregg Bronn, Mark VanMaren, Bob Nutt, Rich Harvey, Rick Anda and Mike Macksey. County Fire Marshal Bob Low determined the cause of the fire to be spontaneous combustion from a basket of freshly laundered kitchen towels set on a chair at closing time. The oil residue in the linen spontaneously caught fire, which spread to the floor when the chair burned through.
Home Fire Threatens Barn
09/01/09 12:29
At 5:41 pm Thursday evening, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue responded to a reported structure fire at 180 West Beach Road. First on scene was Division Chief Patrick Shepler, who reported the structure fully involved and threatening a near by barn. Eastsound Engine 21 arrived within 9 minutes, just as a second alarm was called. Westsound’s Engine 22 and Water Tender were quickly on scene, followed by Orcas Engine 26 and Rosario’s Engine 23. Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire while others gained access to the barn by prying boards from the south side. The interior crew used compressed air foam to stop the fire from entering the barn just as flames started scorching paint cans stored inside. In all, 27 fire and rescue members worked to extinguish the fire and the fire was declared under control at approximately 6:50 pm. Firefighters remained on scene working for an additional 2.5 hours. The Auxiliary also responded with food for the fire crew and clothing for the residents who escaped unharmed but lost everything in the home, which was a total loss.
Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52
15/12/08 14:32
Orcas Island
Fire & Rescue
Press Release December 15, 2008
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52. Within minutes Deer Harbor Station Lt. Paul Turner was on scene with a report of smoke in the basement and first floor. However, he was alone in the Engine and could not enter the building. He reported resident was safely evacuated however 2 pets were unaccounted for. Engines and tankers from 22 from Westsound and Eastsound responded however, due to ice-covered roads, all apparatus was required to proceed slowly on chained tires. Engines from Doe bay and Rosario moved to the Eastsound Fire Station to cover any additional fire calls.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the crawl spaces near and around the utility room. Firefighters worked for 4.5 hours locating and extinguishing fire beneath the floors, which spread throughout the structure.
The steep driveway limited access so water was provided from several hundred feet away. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph coupled with the 20-degree air quickly froze several supply hoses creating treacherous footing for all department members.
One missing cat was located hiding in a bedroom and quickly reunited with its owner. Due to fire engines blocking the driveway, the home-owner and pets were walked a quarter of a mile to a nearby neighbor who took them in out of the cold.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:30 am. Overhaul continued for another 90 minutes. Firefighters returned to stations at around 5 am to thaw out both apparatus and frozen wet gear. That process was still underway 15 hours after the initial tone-out.
“The probable cause was electrical near utility room” said San Juan County Fire Marshal Robert Low. “It was a difficult fire to find and put out.” In all, 3 fire engines, 2 water tankers, the Rescue unit and Medic 1 responded with 17 department personnel.
Photo: Fire Lt. Jeff Jones and Firefighter Robin Dyer located and knocked down the first of several stubborn fires burning in the crawl space of a residential fire early Monday morning.
Press Release December 15, 2008
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52. Within minutes Deer Harbor Station Lt. Paul Turner was on scene with a report of smoke in the basement and first floor. However, he was alone in the Engine and could not enter the building. He reported resident was safely evacuated however 2 pets were unaccounted for. Engines and tankers from 22 from Westsound and Eastsound responded however, due to ice-covered roads, all apparatus was required to proceed slowly on chained tires. Engines from Doe bay and Rosario moved to the Eastsound Fire Station to cover any additional fire calls.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the crawl spaces near and around the utility room. Firefighters worked for 4.5 hours locating and extinguishing fire beneath the floors, which spread throughout the structure.
The steep driveway limited access so water was provided from several hundred feet away. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph coupled with the 20-degree air quickly froze several supply hoses creating treacherous footing for all department members.
One missing cat was located hiding in a bedroom and quickly reunited with its owner. Due to fire engines blocking the driveway, the home-owner and pets were walked a quarter of a mile to a nearby neighbor who took them in out of the cold.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:30 am. Overhaul continued for another 90 minutes. Firefighters returned to stations at around 5 am to thaw out both apparatus and frozen wet gear. That process was still underway 15 hours after the initial tone-out.
“The probable cause was electrical near utility room” said San Juan County Fire Marshal Robert Low. “It was a difficult fire to find and put out.” In all, 3 fire engines, 2 water tankers, the Rescue unit and Medic 1 responded with 17 department personnel.
Photo: Fire Lt. Jeff Jones and Firefighter Robin Dyer located and knocked down the first of several stubborn fires burning in the crawl space of a residential fire early Monday morning.
Residential Fire on Orcas
04/07/08 20:15
On July 4th
at 8:15PM, just hours before the fireworks display in
Eastsound, the Orcas Island Fire Department was
called to the area of Orcas Road and Dolphin Bay Road
.
The first 911 call actually came from across Eastsound, from the Vusario area, as a “large column of smoke”.
The first Orcas Fire units arrived at 700 Swann Rd. to find a large log cabin home engulfed in flames with trees burning 75 feet into the air on the right side of the home. Engine 21 from Eastsound made what Lt. Patrick Shepler described as, “an aggressive exterior, defensive attack, to dampen down the fire, extinguish the trees and protect the area from a wildland fire.”
The home was owned by Burke Thomas, who was not home at the time of the fire.
The fire took ten Orcas Fire units and 27 firefighters to bring it under control.
“The home was a total loss from the arrival of the first units, but the application of over a thousand gallons of water in the first few minutes, combined with a steady water source via our water tenders ensured the safety of other nearby homes”, Shepler said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.
The home was fully involved when the fire department arrived on scene. Water was immediately directed onto the flames but simply vaporized due to the extreme heat.
Press Release
The first 911 call actually came from across Eastsound, from the Vusario area, as a “large column of smoke”.
The first Orcas Fire units arrived at 700 Swann Rd. to find a large log cabin home engulfed in flames with trees burning 75 feet into the air on the right side of the home. Engine 21 from Eastsound made what Lt. Patrick Shepler described as, “an aggressive exterior, defensive attack, to dampen down the fire, extinguish the trees and protect the area from a wildland fire.”
The home was owned by Burke Thomas, who was not home at the time of the fire.
The fire took ten Orcas Fire units and 27 firefighters to bring it under control.
“The home was a total loss from the arrival of the first units, but the application of over a thousand gallons of water in the first few minutes, combined with a steady water source via our water tenders ensured the safety of other nearby homes”, Shepler said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.
The home was fully involved when the fire department arrived on scene. Water was immediately directed onto the flames but simply vaporized due to the extreme heat.
Press Release