Fireplace sparks house fire near Lewisville Park

Embers that escaped from a fireplace sparked a fire at a home near Lewisville Park on Tuesday evening, displacing four people, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire was reported at 6:37 p.m. at 14610 N.E. 278th St., north of Battle Ground. Crews arrived to find flames coming out of the windows on the second floor.

Clark County Fire & Rescue Capt. Ben Meacham said basically the entire floor was on fire and the roof partially collapsed. He was among the first arriving crews, and more fire engines were dispatched to help with the fire. In total, 18 firefighters helped extinguish the blaze.

It took about 12 minutes to get the fire out, but firefighters spent another hour putting out hot spots and mopping up, Meacham said. Firefighters with Fire District 3, Clark County Fire & Rescue and Fire District 13 responded. Nobody was injured in the fire.

The fire was accidentally started when embers from the fireplace in the second-floor living room ignited a box of paper, wood and other materials, the fire marshal’s office said. There was extensive damage to the kitchen, living room and dining room. The bedroom doors were closed, which helped protect the belongings in those rooms, the fire marshal’s office said.

Although the fire was confined to the second floor, the first floor was damaged by water. Damage is estimated at $271,000 for the structure and its contents. Also, at least two pet cats died in the fire.

The fire marshal’s office advises homeowners to close fireplace doors while using fireplaces and stow combustible away from heat sources.