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Victim in fatal house fire died of carbon monoxide intoxication

Brian Willoughby was a former Columbian reporter, social activist

By Emily Gillespie, Columbian Breaking News Reporter
Published: May 17, 2017, 8:26am

A former Columbian reporter turned Vancouver social activist killed in a house fire in March died of carbon monoxide intoxication, ruled an accident, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.

Brian Willoughby, 56, was the victim in a fatal house fire at 516 W. 30th St. on March 28. A passer-by called 911 to report the fire at 6:42 p.m. and told dispatchers that someone was still inside the burning house.

Firefighters found Willoughby’s body inside the house along with a cat and dog who died in the fire.

Investigators said that a problem with a lamp or cellphone charger in a bedroom sparked the blaze. The flames caused an estimated $75,000 in damage to the house.

Willoughby worked at The Columbian from 1990 to 2002. He went on to work at the American Civil Liberties Union, as an outreach director for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and most recently as the director of community benefit at Legacy Health.

A memorial service for Willoughby is 3:30 p.m. May 21 at Gaiser Hall at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.

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Columbian Breaking News Reporter