BLAINE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the 1300 block of Fourth Street in Blaine about 2:45am on Thursday, September 21st, due to reports of a residential fire.
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Division Chief Shaun Ward told Whatcom News they responded along with personnel from Whatcom County Fire District 7. Firefighters arrived to find an abandoned 2-story house fully involved and took a defensive position to protect adjacent properties.
As operations progressed it was determined that it would be better and safer to let the structure just burn as it was old construction. Fire was allowed to burn itself where the structure collapse on itself and to protect exposures. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue (September 21, 2023)
Personnel from Blaine Public Works used a backhoe to push material back into the fire as the structure collapsed while burning to protect adjacent properties.
Ward said there were no occupants in the house and there were no injuries to firefighters.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office.