By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The preliminary area of focus is electrical for an investigation of a fire that broke out last night in a Winlock area barn, according to Lewis County Fire District 15.
Crews were called about 8:30 p.m. to the 200 block of Sargent Road where a homeowner had been scrambling to save what he could from a small barn used for hay and other storage, according to Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson.
The fire there was described as fully involved, threatening two larger buildings and spreading to vegetation, Anderson said.
An engine from District 15 and a second engine from DIstrict 5 arrived simultaneously, within seven minutes of dispatch. They were joined by personnel from District 2 and also Cowlitz-Lewis 20, for a total of about 25 firefighters.
“The guys did a great job of showing up pretty quick,” Anderson said.
The home owner was treated at the scene for a breathing-related issue.
Anderson said the second building was a larger barn containing fire wood and farm equipment and is still standing, but will likely be a total loss.
The largest structure, a shop which held the highest value of contents, sustained exterior damage only, he said.
Anderson said the area around the buildings was short cut grass, so the spread into any other vegetation was slowed.
Personnel were on the scene for the better part of three hours, he said.
Earlier in the day, farther north in Lewis County, firefighters extinguished a brush fire on Nix Lane outside of Centralia.
A crew dispatched at 3:24 p.m. found an approximately 150 foot by 50 foot brush fire with flames moving towards nearby structures, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
They were able to contain the fire to the original area and put it out, according to RFA.
Fire Lt. Jesse Berry reports several nearby electrical meter bases were damaged.
The scene was turned over to the state Department of Natural Resources and the fire’s cause is under investigation.
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Nix Lane, Centralia. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter