The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that a fire that damaged a Ridgefield-area barn was caused by a space heater left too close to combustibles.
The fire was reported at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at 506 N.E. 209th St. Before firefighters arrived, a bystander working on a seed-planting project next door helped save the structure by spraying seed mix on the flames.
When crews with Clark County Fire & Rescue arrived, they quickly contained the rest of the fire.
The homeowner, a 65-year-old man, was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center’s burn unit with severe burns to his hands, fire officials said.
The damage to the barn was estimated at $10,000.
