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Kelso, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire in the 200 block of Holcomb Ave at 10:17 Saturday morning. Fire crews arrived and reported the mobile home was fifty percent involved in fire and attacked the fire with multiple hose lines. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 14 minutes from when they arrived. All residents and their pets were accounted for. Three fire engines, a medic unit, and a Chief Officer responded, Cowlitz County Sheriff Deputies and Cowlitz County Public Utilities District also responded to the incident. Seven residents and two dogs were displaced; American Red Cross will be assisting them with shelter and other resources. Fire officials consider the home a complete loss. The cause of the fire is related to an unattended burning candle. One firefighter was treated on scene for heat-related issues. No other injuries were reported.
Earlier that day firefighters responded to a possible house fire that was also the result of an unattended candle. The smoke in the house was the result of an unattended candle that had burned too long and caused the glass of the candle holder to overheat. The resident’s smoke detectors alerted them.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2015-2019 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 90 deaths, 670 injuries, and $291 million in direct property damage.
Always have working smoke alarms in your home. Check your batteries and test them at least twice per year or as needed. Smoke alarms save lives. For more information on smoke alarms and other fire safety in the home visit: https://www.nfpa.org
Missing Cowlitz County Man found alive and rescued by firefighters this morning.
A 56 year old resident of Cowlitz County whom has been reported missing for 5 days was rescued this morning and flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center for his injuries.
Citizens in the 4900 block of Sunset Way called 911 at 0930 on the morning of May 21st to report they see tire tracks leaving the roadway and a small green truck at the bottom of the ravine. Units from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to the 911 call, Initially a Battalion Chief, Fire Engine and Ambulance responded along with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s office. The vehicle had left the roadway and traveled 150’ down a steep heavily wooded ravine and came to rest at the bottom on its wheels. Residents in the area described the vehicle as one matching a man that was reported missing more than 5 days ago, Sheriff’s deputies confirmed the vehicle matched the description. Firefighters hiked down the hill through waist deep brush expecting the worst, but found the driver of the truck was still alive but severely injured and ill. Longview Fire Department was requested by the on scene Battalion Chief to assist with their rope rescue technicians sending two Fire Engines a Ladder Truck and a Battalion Chief, a rope system was set up to assist firefighters getting the patient up the steep hillside after he was extricated from his vehicle. Cowlitz 2 Firefighters transported the man by ambulance to meet a Lifeflight helicopter at a local school where they could land safely, he was flown to Peace Health Southwest to receive emergent care.
19 Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Longview Fire department completed the rescue and had the man transferred to a helicopter in about one hour.
Kelso, WA- Doug Reid, 74, and his wife visited firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Friday afternoon to show their gratitude for caring for him after he was blown out of his motorhome from a propane explosion the morning of May 1st. Firefighters were initially dispatched to investigate an audible explosion and black smoke in the area of Kingfisher Land and Sparrow Loop at Brook Hollow Park. Fire crews arrived on scene and extinguished the fire in the rear of the 19-foot Class C motorhome, secured the leaking propane bottle(s), and treated Doug for burns to both his arms. He was then transported by ambulance to Peace Health St. John’s Medical Center for further care.
Kyla Shoddy, a Cowlitz 2 volunteer and EMT, and her friend saw the explosion and Mr. Reid from the Coweeman Dike when they were jogging. They immediately responded to render aid to him, assess the scene, and call for help.
Mr. Reid and his wife delivered a specially made firefighter cake and some ice cream for the firefighters and two gift bags with cards to be delivered to Kyla for her and her friend. Mr. Reid is expected to make a full recovery.
Kelso, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and the City of Longview Fire Department responded to a house fire before 4:30 am in the 200 block of NW 7th Ave. Fire crews arrived and reported the home heavily involved in fire with nearby buildings and a trailer at risk of igniting and power lines down on the street. Firefighters attacked the fire and evacuated a total of 11 people, including 6 small children and a wheelchair-bound citizen from the home(s). Family pets were also all accounted for. Firefighters had the fire under control at 4:53 am. Cowlitz County Public Utility District also responded to the incident and secured power to the area. Kelso Police, an AMR medic unit, and a Cowlitz County Chaplin also responded. Cowlitz County Fire District 5 (Kalama) were contacted and covered other calls in Cowlitz 2 response area. Five engines, a ladder truck, and three Chief Officers were dispatched to the fire.
American Red Cross is aiding the families with shelter and other resources. The cause of the fire is under investigation, no injuries were reported. Fire officials consider the home a total loss.
Battalion Chief Kurt Stich on the fire, “Kelso officers were very heroic on this one. They were pivotable in evacuating people through a very narrow alley with heat all around them when we arrived.” Stich continues, “Cowlitz County dispatchers had the chaplains pick up diapers and distribute several packs of diapers to the families in need…Our county responders certainly come together to help.”