Poulsbo-area home fire contained to living room area, family pets saved

Published 9:12 am Monday, November 17, 2014

SURFREST — A single-family home was saved Nov. 16, along with the family’s dog and two birds, thanks to an alert neighbor and quick response from firefighters.

Poulsbo Fire Department, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Navy Region Northwest, and Port Ludlow Fire Department responded at 3:11 p.m. to the fire, in the Surfrest neighborhood, across the street from Poulsbo Fire Station No. 72.

When crews arrived, they found flames in the living room that were rapidly spreading up the wall and into the ceiling. Crews were able to quickly knock down the fire but remained on scene for two hours to ensure hot spots were completely extinguished.

The family’s two pet birds survived and, after some searching, firefighters were able to find a small dog huddled in a back bedroom.

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal investigated the fire and, while the official cause is still undetermined, it appears the fire began near an electrical outlet. There were no injuries.

There was damage to the living room area, including the wall and ceiling, and significant smoke damage throughout the residence.

The residents of the home, a couple in their early 30s and their four children, were not home at the time of the fire. The family was renting the home from the father’s brother and they had just completed several upgrades to the residence.

Above: There was damage to the living room area, including the wall and ceiling, and significant smoke damage throughout the residence. Jody Matson / Poulsbo Fire Department