Early morning fire destroys home in Minnehaha area

A fire destroyed a home early Monday morning in the Minnehaha area.

Vancouver Fire Department firefighters were dispatched about 3:24 a.m. to 6303 N.E. 38th St. for a report of a residential fire.

The first engine arrived in less than five minutes, and its crew saw smoke and flames billowing from the front eaves of the home. The resident of the home was outside when firefighters pulled up, firefighter-paramedic Kevin Stromberg said.

The crew circled around to the back of the home and discovered its deck was ablaze, and flames were extending into the attic, he said.

It took about 25 minutes to get the fire under control. There was extensive damage to the attic and interior of the home — so much so it was deemed uninhabitable.

The resident declined aid from the American Red Cross, according to Stromberg.

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze, as the home’s address is right outside city limits.