Three children escape Thurston County house fire. Cause under investigation
Southeast Thurston County Fire Authority crews responded to a house fire on Saturday in Yelm that killed several pets.
According to a May 10 news release from the fire authority, crews were dispatched at 7:47 p.m. on May 9 to multiple reports of a structure fire in the 16500 block of 103rd Avenue Southeast in Yelm.
Flames were visible from a bedroom window, according to the release, and the fire spread rapidly inside the residence. Three juveniles were inside the home, and they safely evacuated before crews arrived.
The residence was a duplex-style home, and law enforcement evacuated the adjacent unit as a precaution, according to the release.
“Battalion 21 upgraded the incident to a working fire response after observing a visible smoke column while responding,” according to the release. “Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the side of the structure. Firefighters initiated an offensive fire attack, deployed hose lines, made entry, and brought the fire under control while checking for extension into adjoining areas and the attic.”
Crews contained the fire to the involved unit, and there was limited extension to the attic, according to the release.
Crews removed multiple small pets that were inside the residence during the fire, according to the release. Despite resuscitation efforts, several pets did not survive.
The home sustained significant fire and smoke damage, which displaced the occupants, according to the release. The American Red Cross responded to assist the displaced residents.
Lacey Fire District 3, South Thurston Fire and EMS, East Olympia Fire District #6, and the Yelm Police Department assisted in responding to the fire. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported, according to the release. The fire remains under investigation.
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