Fire with an unknown cause spreads from tree, brush to barn and scorches two acres. / Courtesy photo by West Thurston Regional Fire Authority
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The cause of a fire that consumed a large, old wooden barn at the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area north of Grand Mound yesterday evening remains under investigation.
Firefighters called about 6:30 p.m. to the 16000 block of Case Road Southwest found a tree and brush fire had spread into the two-story structure and was beginning to move towards homes adjacent to the state-owned property, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.
Crews from numerous area departments responded containing the blaze to about two acres, Chief Robert Scott said.
They were joined by personnel from the state Department of Natural Resources, as well as some from Fish and Wildlife which maintains the property, according to Scott.
“It was a little dicey, as spot fires were being cast down range,” Scott said.
Scott said he didn’t know what the barn was used for, but he’s been told it was empty and it’s been there a very long time.
“I’m not sure how old that barn is, but it’s been there for decades, probably close to 100 years,” he said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter