PORT TOWNSEND — The smoke and flames that will be seen at 1614 Sheridan St. this week are intentional.
Firefighters and investigators will use the house donated by Rich Stapf Jr. to training exercises.
Today through Saturday, members of the Jefferson County Fire Investigation Task Force will conduct partial burns within the structure to train investigators, said East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski, coordinator of the upcoming training exercises, in a statement.
Classes will include instruction on fire investigation, fire scene photography, arson and explosives, electrical fire causes, accelerant detection, scientific evidence analysis, documentation and professional courtesy.
On the last day of the partial burns, Parella Lewis from Seattle Q13-TV’s “Washington’s Most Wanted” is expected to film the training.
After five days of training exercises, the house will be burned to the ground in a separate firefighter “live fire” training exercise March 17.
The task force includes personnel from East Jefferson Fire-Rescue, Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue, Jefferson County Fire Districts Nos. 2, 4 and 5, the Port Townsend Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Included on an as-needed basis will be the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
In addition to the task force members, regional fire investigators, fire marshals, police detectives and fire chief officers have been invited to attend the program.
Experts from the State Patrol Crime Lab, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, King County Sheriff’s Department and Island County Sheriff’s Department will join Deputy Certified Fire Investigator Barry Pomeroy to lead the training exercises.
Fliers will be distributed in the neighborhood of the donated house, informing them of the upcoming training, he said.
“We don’t want anyone to be alarmed by the emergency vehicles, smoke and flames, Krysinski added.
East Jefferson Fire Rescue is seeking additional donated houses for future training.
The department offers three options to homeowners who want to donate their buildings, Krysinski said.
One is to use the structure for non-destructive training, in which there is no harm to it. Another is destructive training, in which the department and homeowner coordinate the use of the structure without fire. The final option is live fire destructive training.
To donate a structure or for more information, phone 360-385-2626.
