PORT TOWNSEND — Back-to-back fires on Tuesday morning were extinguished quickly by East Jefferson Fire-Rescue crews in a series of events that was “just business as usual,” said an assistant chief.
A malfunctioning electrical power strip is the suspected culprit in a fire at the Holly Hill House Bed and Breakfast, which brought firefighters to 611 Polk St. in the Uptown District at 10:01 a.m.
Upon seeing smoke pour out of an attic window in the carriage house — a garage-like structure separate from the bed and breakfast — the owners went out to investigate and extinguished the fire by the time firefighters arrived.
Crews stayed to inspect the house and douse any smoldering objects with water.
An investigation to determine the cause continued Tuesday.
Upon returning to the station, crews were again called upon to respond to a brush fire at 4351 S. Discovery Road at 11:48 a.m.
Two people were cutting rebar on the lower level of the property when sparks from their saw caught surrounding dry grass on fire, said firefighters.
Flames ignited the bank and rapidly rolled uphill to a construction debris pile.
The workers immediately called 9-1-1.
“That was the real impressive part,” Assistant Chief Ted Krysinski said.
“Because they called 9-1-1 so fast, we were able to get there in under five minutes.”
Krysinski said the crew who fought the first fire was just backing into the firehouse when they got the second call.
“We were ready to go out again,” Krysinski said.
“In that situation, it saved us three or four minutes, and with the location of the fire that might have been a big deal.”
The fire, which was close to trees and two nearby homes, was contained within five minutes of arrival, said Keppie Keplinger, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.
No injuries were reported in either fire. Keplinger said damage was estimated to be minimal.
Five-minute response time
In both calls, the response times were about five minutes, Keplinger said.
Krysinski said that was nothing special, though.
“That’s what we should be doing,” he said.
“While it’s estimated that it takes about eight minutes to get to a scene in our area, we shoot for five.
“With that said, we were fortunate that the timing was right.
“If the second fire had been a little earlier or a little later, it would have been a longer response.
“But they did the right thing by calling 9-1-1 immediately.”
Crews from Navy Region Indian Island Fire provided backup for East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.
________
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
