PORT LUDLOW — A home on Oak Bay Road was consumed by flames Monday afternoon as a result of a child playing with fire.
According to Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Wilkerson, the fire at 10150 Oak Bay Road began when a 4-year-old child ignited a mattress in the home while playing with some matches.
‘Straight forward’
“Either one or both of the children in the home were lighting pieces of paper on fire and started the bedding and mattress on fire in one of the bedrooms,” Wilkerson said.
“There’s nothing suspicious about it; it was straight-forward children playing with matches.”
Wilkerson said it appeared that the two children were in the home by themselves when the fire started.
“One of them ran across to the house next door to tell their mother the home was on fire,” he said.
“She then ran back and pulled the youngest child out.”
Wilkerson said he did not have names of the mother or the two children as the investigation continued and the official report was still being worked on.
The owner of the home is Wade Jorgensen, who lives next door at 10160 Oak Bay Road.
“Wade, who is the grandfather, went in and attempted to use a fire extinguisher on the mattress but was unable to put it out,” Wilkersen said.
Wilkerson said no charges had been filed as of Monday night.
Port Ludlow units were assisted on scene by East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.
Keppie Keplinger, spokeswoman for East Jefferson Fire-Rescue, said the call came in around 1 p.m.
“It went up quickly,” Keplinger said, “but everyone was able to get out safely.”
Oak Bay Road was closed until 3:45 p.m. as fire crews extinguished the blaze.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
