Two residents were “very lucky” to escape a fast-developing fire at a home at 23rd Street and Queets Avenue in Hoquiam Thursday morning.

“The residents were very lucky they got out when they did,” said Hoquiam Fire Capt. Matt Miller.

According to Miller, one of the residents was apparently awakened by the smell of smoke and noticed a couch in the living room on the first floor was on fire. The two residents were sleeping in the back of the house at the time of the fire, said Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers, who was on the scene shortly after the fire was reported.

The way the resident reported the smoke to Miller as he was leaving the residence indicated the fire was close to “flashing over,” at which point the room would have been fully engulfed.

Hoquiam firefighters received the call around 7 a.m. and saw smoke and fire coming from the windows and doors of the home when they arrived. Windows were blown out of the residence by the force of the blaze.

Hoquiam personnel fought the fire from the outside and called out a second alarm. The responding Aberdeen firefighters joined in and soon firefighters were able to make entry and get the fire under control. At 9 a.m. crews were still on the scene checking for remaining hot spots.

“The multi-level home suffered significant interior damage from fire and smoke,” said Chief Myers, who was at the scene. Miller said the first floor sustained the most damage from smoke, fire and water. The second floor suffered smoke damage primarily and the basement appeared to have suffered little if any damage.

Miller offered some advice for homeowners. He said keeping room doors closed keeps the airflow through a home down and can help contain any fires to a smaller area, slowing the spread of the fire.

COURTESY HOQUIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Firefighters from Hoquiam and Aberdeen battled a blaze at a home at corner of 23rd Street and Queets Avenue Thursday morning. The main floor was heavily damaged by fire and smoke but two residents in the home were able to get out safely.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP A firefighter checks for hot spots after crews from Hoquiam and Aberdeen knocked down a fire at a residence at 23rd Street and Queets Avenue Thursday morning.