Fire damages Venersborg home

Fire damaged a Venersborg-area home Tuesday morning and displaced a family of five.
The fire broke out just after 9 a.m. at a home owned by Earl Smith III at 20102 N.E. 242nd Ave., about six miles east of downtown Battle Ground. It appeared to start in or close to the chimney and spread to the walls of one side of the home, according to Ray Steiger, Clark County Fire District 3 spokesman.
Six people, including the parents, three children and the daughter's boyfriend, exited safely.

"They reported it as a chimney fire but immediately realized it was a structure fire," Steiger said.

Fire District 3 responded to the fully involved fire with four engines and a water tender. They brought it under control about 45 minutes later, but remained on scene until 1:30 p.m. to mop it up, Steiger said.

Fire investigators believe the blaze ignited when the home's wood stove overheated metal piping in the walls, which spread to wood.

No one was hurt. The American Red Cross is assisting the family find temporary housing.
A damage estimate wasn't available.