Most of Ridgefield home, family's dog saved

A neighbor’s quick call to 911 saved most of a Ridgefield home from being destroyed by flames, and enabled a fire chief to save the family’s dog.

Members of Clark County Fire & Rescue rushed to 32907 N.W. 41st Ave. at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, as July 4 festivities were going on in Ridgefield.

A neighbor, whose name was unavailable, saw flames under the home’s deck, called 911 and tried unsuccessfully to douse them with a garden hose.

Arriving quickly, Battalion Chief Abe Rommel walked outside the house to develop a plan and heard the family’s dog whimpering inside, spokeswoman Tamara Bailey said in a fire bulletin.

Rommel forced a door open and grabbed the dog just as it collapsed from breathing in smoke. Firefighters gave the dog oxygen; it’s expected to recover.

Flames had burned from under the deck up to the outside wall and eaves, then into the upstairs kitchen, which was heavily damaged, said Division Fire Chief Larry Bartel.

A deputy fire marshal said the fire started under the deck, possibly in a hot tub, Bartel said.

The neighbor’s timely call to 911 made a big difference, especially since much of the home is cedar, Bartel said.

"If he hadn’t seen it, it probably would have burned to the ground."

A dollar damage estimate wasn’t available, but Bailey said about 25 percent of the home was lost.

The home is owned by Bill and Teresa Duling, according to county records.

A contribution account to help the family with repairs has been opened in their last name at First Independent Bank, a friend said.