Deputy fire marshal: Six pets killed in ‘preventable’ Vancouver house fire

Vancouver Fire Department extinguished what it is calling a preventable fire late Thursday morning that killed six pets.

Firefighters responded to the residence, a 700-square foot home located at 3009 N.E. Stapleton Road, at 11:20 a.m., according to a release from the city’s lead Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Lawry.

The fire department deployed two engines and a ladder truck along with a battalion chief, a total of 11 responders.

Firefighters reportedly prevented the blaze from spreading beyond the kitchen and attic.

“This preventable fire originated at an unattended stovetop in a pan of oil. The flames spread to the kitchen cabinetry and into the attic. The person who was cooking had left the house for 15 minutes to deliver a lunch,” Lawry said in the release.

Four cats and two dogs died from smoke inhalation, Lawry said.

The home’s occupants were not injured; they also have renters insurance. They will be staying with family, according to the fire department.

Smoke alarms functioned properly when the fire happened, according the fire marshal.

Damage is estimated around $50,000.