PORT HADLOCK — An elderly couple was left temporarily homeless after an early evening fire at their home in Port Hadlock.
No one was injured, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman, who did not identify the couple, citing privacy concerns.
The husband and a neighbor were evaluated on scene for smoke inhalation, he said.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue was called to a structure fire at 6:24 p.m. Thursday after neighbors of the house in the 70 block of West Moore Street saw smoke and flames coming from the back of the house.
Firefighters determined the fire was started by lit cigarettes on the back deck, which ignited a plastic container, Beezley said.
When firefighters arrived at the house, flames were pouring out of the roof, with smoke coming out of windows. The fire was limited to one room, Beezley said.
Firefighters had to tear down the ceiling in the room to get into the attic space where flames had climbed from the deck.
Another neighbor assisted in evacuating the elderly couple and their dog, and then unsuccessfully attempted to put out the fire with a garden hose.
The house suffered flame damage to a back room and the deck, Beezley said.
Water damage was also present, and the entire structure received smoke damage, forcing the occupants to request overnight shelter assistance from the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Jefferson County Fire Investigation Task Force responded immediately after the fire was extinguished and is conducting an investigation into the cause.
Units from Naval Magazine Indian Island, Port Ludlow Fire &Rescue and Quilcene Fire Rescue also responded to the call.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5550, or at jmajor@peninsuladaily news.com.
