Fire did more than $600,000 damage to Yacolt-area home

Fire did more than $600,000 damage to the structure and contents of a house near Yacolt on Friday, according to Clark County Fire District 10.

The fire, reported by a neighbor at 6:58 p.m., did extensive damage to a home at 36603 N.E. Lakeview Drive, District 10 Chief Gordon Brooks.

“We could see the column of smoke from 3 miles away, so we knew it already had a head start on us” Brooks said in a news release Saturday. “As I got closer, the flames were visible from Gabriel Road through the trees, more than half a mile away.”

No one was home at the time of the fire, and neighbors rescued a dog and a cat from the house. Brooks said firefighters found another dog in a master bedroom, safe from the fire, but one cat was still missing.

“We were very concerned about the pets, and it was really heartwarming to see the dog looking up at us as we entered the bedroom to retrieve some personal effects for the owner,” Brooks said. “It kind of made everyone feel better about how the night had gone. It was a very long evening for our all volunteer staff.”

Brooks said there were 22 responders on scene, with two engines, three water tenders and a squad from District 10, an engine and a water tender from District 13 and an ambulance and battalion chief from North Country EMS.

Crews were on scene until 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Brooks said at least a third of the 3,800-square-foot house was destroyed, with widespread smoke and water damage. He said the damage to the structure is estimated at $330,000, with an estimated $264,000 loss to contents.

Firefighters were able to keep the flames from extending to the attached garage and two cars inside, as well as a basement apartment and separate detached shop.

“There were several neighbors on scene as we arrived, and their help stretching our initial lines made a significant difference in how quickly we could knock the fire down,” Brooks said. “Obviously, it’s a huge impact to the homeowners, and as local residents ourselves, we appreciate what neighbors can do to help each other.”

Thomas and Jane Ippoliti are listed as the property’s owners in county records.

Brooks said the homeowners returned during the fire but did not require assistance from the Red Cross.

Brooks said the fire appears to have started on an exterior wall, but he said the blaze remains under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.