Crews prepare to help salvage belongings after a fire damaged the front portion of a Centralia house, to the right of the fire trucks, this afternoon.
Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CENTRALIA – A malfunctioning space heater ignited a house fire in north Centralia today that claimed the lives of three cats and will temporarily displace the couple who live there.
Firefighters called just after 3 p.m. to Windsor Avenue just south of Fulton Street were told of reports of explosions and two people inside the single-story home, and then told it was only one person.
“When we got here, he was outside, thank goodness,” Riverside Fire Authority Assistant Chief Mike Kytta said.
Crews then proceeded to attack the fire, he said.
The man who lives there had been starting up a propane heater when it emitted flames, according to Kytta said. He threw it out onto the porch, Kytta said.
He was uninjured, but treated by medics for minor smoke inhalation.
The couple had four cats, three of which did not survive, according to the fire department. One of them was administered aid and oxygen. A local veterinarian took the cat and other animals to board them. The Red Cross was summoned to assist the couple.
Crews were still on the scene after 5 p.m. preparing to check again for smoldering and help retrieve some belongings that weren’t ruined.
Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Rick Mack said the bulk of the fire damage is in the front room, just inside the front door. He estimated the loss to the home and contents at $74,000.
Mack said the propane heater developed a failure in its supply line. It was hooked up to a 20-gallon cylinder of fuel, he said.
The heater wasn’t the kind he sees often, but similar to a type one might use to heat a garage or shop, he said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Everyone is concerned, let us know what we can do to help