Occupant Rescued in Union Valley House Fire

On December 26, 2017 Chelan Fire and Rescue responded to Wheatland Lane in Union Valley for a residential structure fire. The reporting party was trapped in a back bedroom with his dog and was unable to self-exit the structure due to physical limitations. Chief 701, Rescue 71, Engines 73, 79, Tenders 71, 73, 74 with a total of 16 personnel responded along with two Chelan County Sheriff Deputies, an Ambulance for Lake Chelan EMS and a Chelan PUD unit.

 

The first units arrived in under 12 minutes and reported a working fire with flames visible. The two Chelan County Deputies rescued the occupant through a bedroom window as fire units were arriving and initiated a transitional fire attack, knocking down the outside fire then moving to the interior fire. The fire was brought under control within 24 minutes of arrival of the first fire engine. Damage was limited to a utility room, void space on the second floor behind a stub wall/attic space, the front of the structure and smoke heat and damage in the hallway and kitchen. Crews spent another 30 minutes overhauling the fire area to ensure all hot spots had been extinguished. Engine 79’s crew  provided fire watch for the next two hours after fire operations had been completed.

 

“This could have had a very bad out come if the home occupant had not smelled the smoke as he was getting ready to go to bed. The home occupant reported smelling smoke and when he opened his bedroom door the house was filled with smoke and the door felt hot. He closed his door and called 911 telling the dispatchers his location in the house and that he could not get out,” said Chief Lemon.

 

“The fire and rescue operation went very well,” said Chief Lemon. We had a strong response with everyone in the right spot, at the right time, doing the right thing. We had two of our Chelan County Deputies available in the area and able to respond and assist. Our initial response on-duty crew of four personnel were responding within minutes of being dispatched and our volunteer personnel from Satellite Station 73 in Union Valley had a strong response. “We had the best outcome we could have hoped for.” said Chief Lemon. The occupant and his dog were saved and the house can be repaired.