CKFR crew happens to spot side of house on fire, extinguishes flames

Published 4:53 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews leaving the scene of a possible house fire in the area of Athens and Johnson roads in East Bremerton decided to return to the fire station on a back road as part of a neighborhood familiarization drill. Luck factored into the equation when firefighters decided to take a turn down a small road and noticed smoke and flames from a garbage can on the garage-side of a home off Sheffield Court at about 12:50 p.m. Tuesday.

Crew quickly parked the fire engine as they noted a trash can and the side of the home on fire. Firefighters jumped out of the rig to investigate, pulled the pre-connected fire hose off the engine and quickly extinguished the flames. Luckily for the homeowner, firefighters were in the right place at the right time. Fire damage extended into the interior wall of the attached garage. Damage to the structure was limited to $500.

The on-duty lieutenant alerted occupants inside the home of the fire. They said they had noticed an odor of smoke for the past three days, but had been unable to locate a source. Ashes discarded from a metal fire pit over the weekend smoldered and eventually caught the plastic, combustible trash can and recycle can on fire as well as the adjacent siding of the home.

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue reminds residents as the nights turn cool and alternate heating sources are used, it is essential discarded ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves be completely extinguished with water and allowed to cool completely in a metal container before dumping in the trash. Keep ashes away from decks and the sides of your home as they cool.