Firefighters send a stream of water into the flames at the 200 block of Taylor Road. / Courtesy photo by Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A two-story farm house south of Chehalis burned to the ground yesterday; the cause is under investigation.
“The house is a total loss,” Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue Chief Gregg Peterson said. “We were there probably four hours on the scene, and returned throughout the night.”
Peterson said nobody was hurt and the residents were not home, but their dog was, and is presumed dead.
His crews were joined by members of Lewis County Fire District 6 and 1 in answering the approximately 4 p.m. call to the 200 block of Taylor Road, he said. Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue is the new name for Lewis County Fire District 5.
They got numerous calls from neighbors and found the structure pretty well involved in flames when they arrived, Peterson said. Several explosions were presumed to be propane tanks and ammunition in the house going off, he said.
“There were no hydrants in the area, so it had to be done with tenders,” he said.
Peterson said he understood from the owner it was the original home on Taylor Road. The residents, who he believed to be three people, two of them brothers, lost everything, he said.
The residents and the Red Cross have been in touch with each other, he said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter