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Remains of 3 recovered from Winlock house fire

The Columbian
Published:
2 Photos
Firefighters from Lewis County Fire District No. 15 stand amongst debris from a house fire in Winlock, Wash. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. Investigators expect to find the bodies of a woman and two girls as they continue to search through the rubble on Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters from Lewis County Fire District No. 15 stand amongst debris from a house fire in Winlock, Wash. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. Investigators expect to find the bodies of a woman and two girls as they continue to search through the rubble on Thursday afternoon. (AP Photo/The Chronicle, Pete Caster) Photo Gallery

WINLOCK — A police chief says investigators have recovered the remains of three people from the debris of an early morning fire that destroyed a home in the southwest Washington community of Winlock.

A woman and two girls are believed to have died early Thursday. Fire officials say a man and two boys got out safely.

According to The Chronicle newspaper, Police Chief Terry Williams said the remains recovered Thursday afternoon have been turned over to the Lewis County coroner’s office.

Williams says forensic work will be needed to positively identify them.

Winlock Mayor Lonnie Dowell, who lives about 300 yards from the house, was one of the people who called 911 about 2:45 a.m., The Chronicle reported.

He was awakened by a boom.

“I was getting ready to go back to bed, then I noticed an orange glow and called 911,” Dowell said.

Two firefighters on call at the station were able to respond to the house fire quickly, but there was no possible way to save anyone who would have been inside, Fire District 15 Commissioner Stan Hankins said.

About 20 firefighters from Winlock, Toledo, Vader and Napavine battled the fire, which was still smoldering at dawn.

It will be difficult to determine the fire’s cause because the house is so badly damaged, Hankins said.

“It’s always a tragedy when kids are involved,” he said.

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