CARLSBORG — A fast-moving fire destroyed a single-wide mobile home Wednesday near Sequim.
Elizabeth Countryman acted quickly to move her two children out of the home at 80 Spencer Road, Clallam County Fire District No. 3 spokesman Bob Rhoads said.
“She saw there was smoke and fire and went to get her children out of their bedroom,” Rhoads said.
“She got them out quickly.”
The fire was reported at 12:54 p.m. The home was engulfed when firefighters arrived shortly before 1 p.m.
“Elizabeth’s swift action in getting the children out of the home was critical in preventing injuries or loss of life in this incident,” said Clallam County Fire District No. 3 Fire Chief Steve Vogel, the incident commander.
Thick black smoke was visible from downtown Sequim, Rhoads said.
“Fires in old mobile homes like this move very rapidly,” Rhoads said.
He said it probably took three to five minutes for the fire to overtake the structure.
The cause of the blaze remained under investigation Wednesday.
One person was taken to Olympic Medical Center for observation, Rhoads said. He did not identify the person.
An Elizabeth Countryman was listed in satisfactory condition at OMC on Wednesday afternoon.
Rhoads said he did not know the ages of the two children. Countryman lived at the home with her husband, Salud, and two children, the fire district said.
About 15 firefighters extinguished the blaze. No other structures in the small mobile home park were damaged, Rhoads said.
Medics, water tenders and a Clallam County sheriff’s deputy assisted the firefighters.
The Clallam County Public Utility District switched off power to the unit.
Personnel from the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross arrived to help the family.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
