Elma sees multiple midweek fires, medical calls

East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue fielded several notable fires and medical calls beginning Tuesday afternoon as the county readies for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The incidents are not connected, said EGHFR Chief Kenny Ward.

Medical call

The first notable incident was a medical call for an 87-year-old Satsop resident who was injured falling into a well or cistern, Ward said. A neighbor called 911, Ward said.

“The call came in at 11:41 a.m— an approximately 87-year-old fell into a cistern or a well. When we arrived we found an 87-year-old about 12 feet down,” Ward said. “We were able to Stokes basket him out.”

A Stokes basket is a commonly used rescue basket that can be hoisted or transported through rough terrain. The man suffered multiple lacerations, fractures and blunt trauma, but was alive and was transported to Seattle for further care, Ward said.

Structure fire

Shortly after, at 1:09 p.m. on Tuesday, 911 received a call from the county fairgrounds of a nearby column of smoke rising from an area that they had heard fireworks coming from, Ward said.

Firefighters responded to find a fully engaged residential trailer, Ward said.

“This one was fully involved, fully blowing out three sides … when we arrived,” Ward said. “We called for a second alarm and additional manpower.”

The trailer was vacant, Ward said — the area had previously had issues with activity from nonresidents. The location made for a difficult response initially, Ward said.

“Because of the location, and we only had three (firefighters) on (shift) — manning issues was a big deal with that big of a fire,” Ward said. “There were no hydrants in the area so we had to bring a water supply in.”

EGHFR called for mutual aid from Grays Harbor Fire District 12 and the Montesano Fire Department, Ward said.

“Chief Busz from Monte responded. He came over. He called his ladder company over. We thought we might be able to get an elevated stream from the cemetery,” Ward said. “District 12 brought in an engine with two people. I’m very grateful for that as well.”

The structure was rapidly deemed a total loss, Ward said.

“We made the decision about 15 minutes in we weren’t going to be able to save the structure,” Ward said. “We went defensive.”

Firefighters were able to contain the spread and extinguish the fire within a few hours, while maintaining a watch on the fire for flare ups until about 7:30 p.m.

Fireworks are being evaluated as the probable cause of the fire, Ward said — the area around the fire is littered with spent fireworks. The Elma Police Department is investigating the fire, Ward said.

Ward thanked Montesano and District 12 for sending personnel and equipment.

“Since I’ve been here it’s probably the first vacant structure fire we’ve had,” Ward said.

Vance Creek Park

The next morning, on Wednesday, the department got an early start when a caller reported a fire at the bathrooms of Vance Creek Park.

“It came in at 5:21 a.m. It was the bathroom facility at Vance park. It was set fire to,” Ward said. “It appears to have started in the trash cans outside.”

The roof of the building was burning, but firefighters were able to rapidly knock the fire down, Ward said.

“One of our volunteers brought in a water supply,” Ward said. “They had knockdown at 6:02 a.m.”

While the cinder block walls of the structure are fine, the bathrooms are unusable and fenced off and the roof will likely need to be replaced, Ward said.

The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office is investigating, Ward said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.