UPDATE 7:45am, August 24th
According to Whatcom County Fire District 7 Assistant Chief Larry Hoffman the fire is thought to have started “from discarded smoking material on the back deck” and the three occupants will be staying with family as a result of the fire.
UPDATE 8:40pm
Northwest Drive between Axton and Smith Roads has reopened.
UPDATE 5:56pm
Fire officials report all occupants of the house are out and uninjured. Witnesses were speculating the fire may have started near some vehicles in a driveway and jumped to the house. Officially the cause remains unknown. Fire needed the power to the building turned off.
Non-local traffic attempting to drive on Northwest Drive from Axton and Smith Roads is being turned away.
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Original Story
There is a report of a structure fire near Northwest Drive and Smith Road. Please avoid the area as traffic control has already been requested. Will update with information as available.