Midnight fire displaces Vancouver family

A midnight fire displaced a family in east Vancouver’s Parkside neighborhood Thursday night and caused an estimated $250,000 damage.

The fire at 3606 N.E. 150th Ave. started in the backyard, which had a lot of dry grass, said Vancouver Lead Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Drone.

When firefighters arrived, they saw “lots of fire” coming from a split-level home and back yard, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian. They quickly called for a second alarm.

The fire engulfed the deck and much of the house before being extinguished by firefighters, Drone said.

The fire displaced three adults, plus several pets. The American Red Cross was called to provide food, clothing, bedding and other assistance.

Drone said the fire was accidentally set, probably by the careless disposal of a cigarette or an ember from a recreational fire.

A neighbor, Nikkii Trana, saw the fire. “Firefighters are our heroes,” she wrote in an email to The Columbian.

The fire was initially reported at 11:58 p.m. Firefighters were called back to the scene at 3:52 a.m. after it apparently rekindled.

County property records show the home, built in 1975, is owned by Albert Causey.

Extraordinarily dry and warm conditions this year have prompted the National Weather Service in Portland to issue an unusual Fire Weather Watch for Clark County. It warns of critical conditions of hot temperatures and dry fuels, and says that any fires that start may be a “significant challenge” to control over the next two days.

It was at least the fourth Vancouver home damaged by fire in the last three days.