By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The cause of the blaze in Salkum on Christmas morning that destroyed a home and sent several people to the hospital is still unknown but the fire investigator said it’s possibly related to a heat lamp on the front porch keeping some kittens warm.
Maple Crest Drive, Salkum
“I’m not sure what started it yet, I’m still looking at it, but it started outside,” Fire Investigator Derrick Paul said on Tuesday.
Either three or four of the residents went to the hospital with smoke inhalation after the 7:30 a.m. fire on 100 block of Maple Crest Drive, as did a Lewis County Fire District 8 firefighter who injured his leg when he fell through the floor, according to responders.
The double-wide mobile home was a complete loss.
Bruce Davis lives there with his wife Deborah, their 37-year-old son and 17-year-old granddaughter, according to Paul.
A pair of overnight house guests and Deborah Davis fled through the front door, and the other three escaped from a back room through a window, according to Paul.
“Bruce had to break a window out and the three climbed out the window,” Paul said.
Neither District 8 Assistant Chief Don Taylor or Paul knew the fate of the kittens.
“I never did see ’em, they probably ran away,” Paul said.
The fire department contacted the Red Cross to assist the fire victims with a place to stay.
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See Saturday’s news story and photographs here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter