Early morning blaze Thursday destroys Central Park home

Fire Chief: Five residents inside were able to escape unharmed

By Dan Hammock • June 15, 2017 8:30 am
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(Dan Hammock | Grays Harbor Newspaper Group) The fire Thursday morning in Central Park destroyed the home, vehicles and possessions of a family of four. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
(Dan Hammock | Grays Harbor Newspaper Group) The fire Thursday morning in Central Park destroyed the home, vehicles and possessions of a family of four. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire that tore through a Central Park home on June 8 forced the five people inside to escape so quickly they didn’t have time to grab their phones. Unable to call for help, at least one of them ran to the District 2 Fire Station just up Pioneer Road from the house to alert firefighters of the blaze, according to a statement from District 2 Fire Chief Leonard Johnson.

At the time, the occupants had reported the fire, about 4:25 a.m., the carport was on fire and the house filled with smoke. When firefighters arrived just three minutes later, they found the house completely engulfed in flames. The occupants, which included a man and a woman, their two children ages 2 and 10, and a visiting relative, were home asleep at the time of the fire.

Johnson said the intensity of the fire forced firefighters to battle the blaze from the exterior only. A home to the south of the fire was threatened, but firefighters were able to contain the fire to the initial home and carport area. Johnson said the fire was under control at 5:34 a.m., but firefighters were on the scene until after 9 a.m. putting out lingering hotspots.

Fire investigators with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and Aberdeen Fire Department were called, but the cause of the fire remains undetermined, Johnson said.

The residents lost two vehicles, a motorcycle and all of their possessions. Both the residents and the landowner had insurance covering the vehicles, possessions and home.

According to Johnson, Fire District 2 responded to the call with eight pieces of apparatus and 15 personnel. Help was requested from the Aberdeen Fire Department, which sent one apparatus and two personnel.

Benefit

A benefit for the family impacted by the fire will be held at the Montesano VFW July 8 at 5 p.m. The VFW is donating steak, salad and garlic bread dinners, tickets for which are $25 and can be purchased at the door. Dinners are limited to 75 tickets and will be served at 6 p.m.

The event will also iclude a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, and donations will be accepted. Warren Brough and his wife, Ciara, are well-known in the VFW community. Warren served two tours in Iraq and Ciara was a longtime bartender and manager at the Montesano VFW.

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