OAK HARBOR — A fire ignited by an 11-year-old boy gutted parts of an Oak Harbor home Friday, displacing a family of six along with their dogs, iguana and turtle. The sole casualty of the blaze was the family’s blue parakeet Ralph, firefighters said Monday.
The fire burned walls, carpets and doors in the single-story home on SW Sixth Avenue, said Battalion Chief Ray Merrill of the Oak Harbor Fire Department. Firefighters estimated the damage at $50,000 and said it was mostly cosmetic rather than structural.
The fire was reported at 10:55 a.m. Friday when a neighbor drove by and saw smoke just as the 11-year-old boy exited the home, Merrill said. Firefighters arrived within 4 minutes and knocked down the blaze in about 5 minutes, he said.
Fire investigators later determined the boy was playing with matches in the hallway of the home and had ignited a blanket, Merrill said. The fire then spread to the carpet and doors in the hallway, he said. Each room in the house sustained either smoke or fire damage.
The American Red Cross provided housing for the family, two parents and four children, Friday night and are assisting them, Merrill said.
Boy playing with matches damages house
This article has been viewed 414 times
Previous Story• Conway teacher wish list: Basic necessities |
Next Story• Sedro-Woolley to consider leasing golf course for one more year |
More Local News
Top Jobs
Staffed Residential Home Mount Vernon. P/T Nightwatch Staff - Responsible for safety and security of…
P/T Full Charge Bookkeeper for drywall and painting company. A/P, A/R, and payroll. Pay DOE. Must have…
OPTICIAN for busy ophthalmology practice. Excellent opportunity for motivated person with great customer…
MIG WELDERS needed FT, wages DOE, drug free. Apply in person. US Mower, 11949 Westar Ln., Burlington,…
Taxdahl Heating is looking for an HVAC Installer. Experience req'd. Salary DOE. Call Tony @ 360-708-4675…
Housekeeper 49 bed nursing home in Burlington. Exp. preferred but will train. Call Carol Smith for details,…
Automotive Technician New car dealership needing an experienced technician. This person would need to…
Travel Agents needed. Get paid to Vacation! Generous Bonuses, medical insurance. No experience? Will…
Transmission Outlet is looking for an experienced R&R Technician. Must have own tools. Top pay & benefits.…
$10.00/hr. Nursery/ Preschool positions at Unitarian Universelist Church. 855-0904
DISTRICT ASSISTANT 20+ hours a week. Job duties include but are not limited to: • 4AM - 8AM • $8.50/hour…
Curt Maberry Farm, grower & processor of berries in the Lynden area, is seeking applicants for a F/T…
T BAILEY INC. is looking for Qualified Welders. 2 yrs exp. pref. on either Dual Shield or SubArc. MUST…
Volume custom home builder looking for self-motivated energetic hourly & commission salesperson to work…
P/T Full Charge Bookkeeper for drywall and painting company. A/P, A/R, and payroll. Pay DOE. Must have…
OPTICIAN for busy ophthalmology practice. Excellent opportunity for motivated person with great customer…
MIG WELDERS needed FT, wages DOE, drug free. Apply in person. US Mower, 11949 Westar Ln., Burlington,…
Taxdahl Heating is looking for an HVAC Installer. Experience req'd. Salary DOE. Call Tony @ 360-708-4675…
Housekeeper 49 bed nursing home in Burlington. Exp. preferred but will train. Call Carol Smith for details,…
Automotive Technician New car dealership needing an experienced technician. This person would need to…
Travel Agents needed. Get paid to Vacation! Generous Bonuses, medical insurance. No experience? Will…
Transmission Outlet is looking for an experienced R&R Technician. Must have own tools. Top pay & benefits.…
$10.00/hr. Nursery/ Preschool positions at Unitarian Universelist Church. 855-0904
DISTRICT ASSISTANT 20+ hours a week. Job duties include but are not limited to: • 4AM - 8AM • $8.50/hour…
Curt Maberry Farm, grower & processor of berries in the Lynden area, is seeking applicants for a F/T…
T BAILEY INC. is looking for Qualified Welders. 2 yrs exp. pref. on either Dual Shield or SubArc. MUST…
Volume custom home builder looking for self-motivated energetic hourly & commission salesperson to work…
