FERNDALE, Wash. — A law enforcement and fire crews responded to the 7300 block of N Enterprise Road about 1am this morning, November 1st, to a report of a structure fire. Initial reports from law enforcement at the scene was of a totally involved fire.
According to radio transmissions from the scene, law enforcement began immediately evacuating nearby buildings.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR), Lynden Fire Department, Bellingham Fire Department and Whatcom County Fire District 7 responded with multiple fire engines and tenders to battle the fire. The last crews remained at the scene until about 7am.
NWFR Division Chief Jason Van der Veen said the fire started in a shop building and involved an unspecified number of travel trailers and cars. No citizens or firefighters were injured but 3 adults were displaced and the Red Cross had been contacted to provide assistance.
Click for more information
Click for more informationThere were a lot of large obstacles on the property that made getting to the fire and ensuring it was completely out a challenge, Van der Veen said.
Whatcom County Fire Marshall’s Office was investigating the cause of the fire.
Van der Veen said, that while not expected to be the cause of this fire, he wanted to take the opportunity to warn the community of the fire hazards from the increased use of wood-burning stoves during the onset of cold weather. He said his contacts across other fire districts are reporting an increase in fire calls due to improperly disposed ash from wood stoves. “It only takes that 1 ember to create a disaster,” Van der Veen said. He advises to use a metal bucket, place it away from structures and other flammables and douse it with a lot of water to properly dispose of the ash.
We are fortunate to have such capable firefighters, both paid and volunteer, in our community. My thanks and prayers are wth them for each fire they fight and for the lives they save, and their efforts to reduce our risk through fire safety education.