The Montesano Fire Department was called out July 19 to black smoke coming from a home on the corner of North Third Street and West Spruce Avenue.

The fire department received the call at around 10:20 a.m., and Fire Chief Corey Rux said that upon arriving at the scene there was smoke coming from the windows but the home was safely evacuated.

“The fire started in the basement, but we were able to contain the fire to the area of origin with no civilian or firefighter injuries,” Rux said.

Grays Harbor Fire District 2 assisted the Montesano Fire Department, and Rux said they cleared the scene just after noon. There was smoke damage throughout the home which Rux said could total around $40,000 inculding loss of belongings and property damage.

Valerie Jester got a call from a friend at around 10:45 a.m. who relayed the news that her home was on fire.

“I was at work, and a neighbor called and said she heard on the scanner that there was a fire at my address,” Jester said.

Jester has lived in Montesano for 28 years, and she has been at her current address for around a year and a half.

“There wasn’t a single appliance that was left on. I don’t know what started it,” she said.

Rux said that it looks as if the fire was caused by electrical issues in the basement.

Jester has two dogs, both of which were in the backyard at the time of the fire. Her cat was inside, but Jester hypothesized the cat was hiding safely somewhere within the home.

“I love my little house – I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said. “I’ll have to figure out what to do next.”