Firefighters battle Vancouver attic blaze

An attic fire burned through the roof of a house in the North Image neighborhood Friday afternoon.

Crews responded at 4:04 p.m. to 4300 N.E. 137th Ave., where they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the backside of the house near the roof, said Kevin Stromberg, spokesman with the Vancouver Fire Department.

Firefighters tore sheetrock from the ceiling and roofing material to get to the fire, which apparently had spread from the back of the house to the attic.

Those who live in the house were just getting home from work, arriving at about the same time as the first fire engine. Clark County property records indicate the house is owned by Steven and Carolyn Langer. They told firefighters everyone was out of the house except for their pet dog and cat.

Firefighters rescued the dog and later found the cat hiding under a bed, Stromberg said.

The 16 firefighters on scene had the fire under control in 12 minutes. The Red Cross arrived on scene to assist the homeowners, whose house is uninhabitable from fire, smoke and water damage.