Hazel Dell apartment fire likely caused by smoking

A fire at a Hazel Dell apartment complex that displaced 30 people Friday night was most likely caused by smoking materials, according to fire investigators.

The two-alarm blaze started in a bedroom of a unit at Parklane Apartments, 10269 N.E. Notchlog Drive, said Clark County Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Young. No citations will be issued, he said.

Crews from Clark County Fire District 6 responded to the 911 call, which came in just before 8 p.m. Friday. Arriving firefighters reported seeing a smoke plume as they approached the complex and requested a second alarm, sending more crews to help battle the blaze.

While other crew members fought the fire, a team of firefighters used a ladder to rescue two tenants and a dog from a second-floor balcony. The tenants said their fire alarm went off but that their apartment was full of smoke.

Fire district officials said it took 15 minutes to put out the flames, but remained on scene for about another 45 minutes to extinguish embers in the attic.

Young said that one unit was damaged by the fire while about 10 others sustained smoke damage. Damage to contents and property was estimated at $300,000.