Two injured in Vancouver house fire

Two people were injured Monday evening in a second-story bathroom fire in east Vancouver.

Four engines and a fire truck — with a total of 17 firefighters — were dispatched to 14902 N.E. 32nd Circle at 5:22 p.m., said Capt. Scott Willis, spokesman for the Vancouver Fire Department. Neighbors called 911 to say they could see smoke and flames in a second-story window.

Firefighters arrived to find several people at home and light smoke coming from the second floor, Willis said. A fire had started in the back bathroom and a resident was attempting to put it out from the back porch with a garden hose. The remaining residents still inside were evacuated and the fire was quickly extinguished.

An ambulance was called to provide urgent medical attention to a woman; another ambulance was called to treat another person. None of the injuries was critical, according to 911 dispatchers. All occupants were evaluated by AMR medics but none taken to a hospital. The American Red Cross was called to assist them.

Police were called to restrain a man who lives there from re-entering the burning building.

The split-level house in the Parkside neighborhood was built in 1979. It is owned by Marvin and Jimmie Kennedy, according to county property records.

At The Columbian’s press time, the cause of the fire was unknown. A Clark County fire marshal was investigating. Damage to the bathroom and smoke damage throughout the house is estimated at $20,000.

It was the second of two fires reported 10 minutes apart in the city. Earlier, firefighters were called to a reported fire at 9205 N.E. 96th St. Firefighters arrived to find nothing showing from that home.