Fire causes moderate damage to home in Ogden neighborhood

The Vancouver Fire Department saved about half of a home late Wednesday afternoon after a blaze erupted at 2821 N.E. Burton Road, east of Andresen Road.

No one was reported injured, but two family dogs died.

Firefighters, many who had just finished working at the large McDonald’s fire earlier Wednesday, were called to the scene at 5:55 p.m. On the way, a plume of black smoke was visible from a distance. Firefighters were told people were trapped inside the burning home, so they called for a second alarm for additional crews and trucks, said firefighter-spokesman Jim Flaherty.

Arriving in five minutes, the first crews went inside the burning home immediately with hoses to look for possible victims, but none was inside.

With flames burning through the single-story home’s roof, firefighters streamed water, sawed holes in the roof to vent heat and smoke, and had the blaze under control in 15 minutes.

In the end, damage was only moderate, to about half the home; the bedroom doors had been closed, which helped prevent flames from spreading inside that area, Flaherty said.

Witnesses, by calling 911 quickly, also helped save part of the home in the Ogden neighborhood, Flaherty said.

Damage was estimated at $85,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The home’s owners, Bruce and Christy Estes, were displaced until the damage can be repaired, and Red Cross volunteers ofered help with temporary lodging, if needed, Flaherty said.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.