The cause of the fatal fire at Gary Ike's home north of Toledo is still under investigation.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
This news story was updated at 10:24 a.m.
TOLEDO – The cause of the blaze that decimated the small wood-frame house where Gary Ike lived and died is still unknown but one detail stands out: “We have yet to find a smoke detector,” fire investigator Derrick Paul said yesterday.
Paul and fellow investigators were on the scene for hours yesterday looking for what sparked the fire where a man he said was well known in the community, throughout the county, was found dead. He called it a tragedy.
Gary Allen Ike
“(This) is the case in just about every fatality we see, the lack of a working smoke detector,” Paul. “That’s the consistent factor in all of them.”
The two-bedroom home on the 100 block of Nicholson Road in Ethel still stands, but is a total loss after the late Wednesday night fire. Nicholson is a dead-end road off of Oyler Road about a half mile east of Lewis and Clark State Park, north of Toledo.
Gary Allen Ike, 54, lived there alone, according to neighbors. He worked at Home Depot.
Francine Smiley, who has lived around the corner for more than three decades remembers when it was the home of Ike’s father, David Ike – the last full-blooded Cowlitz Indian.
Many are mourning Gary Ike’s passing, she said. “He’s a good guy,” she said yesterday afternoon as she picked up her mail in front of Ike’s house.
The Toledo area fire department was called out at 11:20 p.m. and when the first engine company of volunteers arrived nine minutes later from the Tucker Road station, the structure was fully engulfed in flames, according to fire authorities.
A neighbor across the road smelled smoke and pounded on the front door as he called 911, but the smoke was too thick for him to do more, according to Paul.
Firefighters from Winlock, Vader, Napavine and Salkum joined Lewis County Fire District 2 and worked until almost 3:45 a.m. extinguishing the fire.
Neighbor Diane Sinner said she was just dropping off to sleep when she heard a “boom.”
“I jumped out of bed, my window was just glowing,” she said. “I looked out the window and saw flames,” Sinner said. “We stood out there and watched, and I just prayed I could see him out there. It’s so sad.”
Paul said Ike was found in the rear of the house where the kitchen is.
“The evidence is consistent with someone who’s trying to exit the residence, just couldn’t make it, just couldn’t get to the door,” Paul said.
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office confirmed Ike’s identity and scheduled an autopsy for Monday to determine the cause of his death.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the fire investigators because it was a fatality, according to Paul.
At the nearby St. Mary’s Mission – where Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing is headquartered – employees were preparing to extend hospitality to Ike’s family, expected to arrive this weekend from all over, according to Bob Bouchard a manager there.
The gathering will likely be large. Ike did volunteer work “everywhere” according to Sheryl Bertucci.
“He’s a member of the Lions Club in Toledo and some other clubs.” Bertucci said. “Everybody knows Gary.”
Fred Eckenberg recalled Ike’s dedication in helping out during pow wows and other tribal activities, being especially dedicated to tribal youngsters.
“He would keep watch over the kids,” Eckenberg said. “He had a manner the kids respected.”
A cousin of Gary Ike’s is among those traveling to Toledo today.
“He’s always happy, always willing to help out, kind to everybody and will – would – do anything for his family,” Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens said as she prepared to depart her home in Washougal.
Ike has a brother and a sister. He had no children, she said.
Services are expected to be announced next week, after the coroner’s office releases her cousin, she said.
They will be held in the gym at St. Mary’s Mission at 107 Spencer Road in Toledo.
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Read yesterday morning’s news story on the fire here.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
As the wife of Gary Ike, I just wanted to make sure you had the correct information. We have been married since July 22nd, 2000. Gary also has three step-children that he has always loved as his very own…no one could ever tell him differently. Son…Scott Parker(Ike)…age 23; Daughter…Lindsay Emerson (Ike)…age 20; and Robert Emerson (Ike)…age 19.
In our Family there were no “STEPS” it was all or none!
Gary was a wonderful friend, father, mentor… A man with a heart of gold. Anyone and Everyone that came in contact with him…was impacted in one way or another….and he could melt a persons heart with his wonderful smile and hugs!
Gary will be more than missed and he is a huge loss to myself and his children!