CFR units save new home under construction

CHELAN – Chelan Fire and Rescue units were called out just prior to midnight on Thursday, May 31,  to a structure fire on a residential house under construction near downtown Chelan.
Rescue 71 arrived on the scene within four minutes, 18 seconds of the 11:20 p.m. 911 call and reported smoke coming from the three-story structure and a fire on the first floor.
Engine 71 arrived less than a minute later and, with help from the rescue crew, had the fire knocked down at 11:37 p.m., 17 minutes, 23 seconds from the initial call-out, a CFR media report said.
Four on-duty career personnel and one on-duty volunteer comprised the initial response crews from Rescue 71 and Engine 71.
Engine 79 arrived at 11::35 p.m., less than 15 minutes from the initial 911 call, and was assigned to hydrant standby in case a water supply was needed, the CFR report said. “Other responding personnel and apparatus were cancelled and returned in service.”
The flames were out and an investigation underway less than 15 minutes after the initial call came in.
A survey of the site revealed that the fire started outside the home and burned through the exterior wall, into the wall space, and lower floor joist space damaging some electrical wiring. The flames were contained in a small portion of the front room of the nearly completed house. Paint materials including stain-soaked rags, brush and stain cans stacked against the house exterior spontaneously combusted, causing the fire, the CFR report said.