A “mother-in-law” house on San Juan Avenue in Port Townsend caught fire Thursday afternoon

A “mother-in-law” house on San Juan Avenue in Port Townsend caught fire Thursday afternoon

Firefighters keep Port Townsend blaze from spreading to nearby buildings

PORT TOWNSEND — A fire that consumed a “mother-in-law” structure Thursday afternoon was knocked down by firefighters before it could spread to adjacent buildings.

The two-story dwelling at 4422 San Juan Ave. was severely damaged by the fire, which took about 45 minutes to extinguish.

East Jefferson Fire-Rescue firefighter Sam Neville was driving by the house at around noon and saw smoke, first thinking it was coming from a barbecue, Fire Chief Gordon Pomeroy said.

Upon realizing it was a structure fire, Neville called it in using his off-duty radio — which caused some confusion, Pomeroy said.

“I heard all the chatter, but I thought it was just a drill and they were using the wrong channel,” the chief said.

Neville, who did not have his fire gear, entered the building and determined there was no one on the ground floor.

But he could not go upstairs because of the intense heat, Pomeroy said.

A propane tank was close to the house and caused some concern among firefighters until the blaze was under control, Pomeroy said.

Firefighters arrived and created a detour, channelling traffic through Lopez Avenue, which loops around the affected area.

Pest control worker Brandon Hampton was on a call at the house behind the structure when the fire broke out.

“I heard lots of popping,” he said.

He took a garden hose to wet down the fence and plants to keep the fire from spreading but couldn’t get close to the structure because of the heat, he said.

Pomeroy said the fire started on the building’s exterior and worked its way inside.

No cause of the fire was immediately determined, and an investigation continues, according to Port Townsend Police Officer John Bick, who is an arson investigator.

“We always treat it like arson until proven otherwise,” he said.

________

Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

April Jackson, The Reptile Lady, speaks while students hold a 12-foot Burmese python named “Mr. Pickles” at Jefferson Elementary School in Port Angeles on Friday. The students, from left to right, are Braden Gray, Bennett Gray, Grayson Stern, Aubrey Whitaker, Cami Stern, Elliot Whitaker and Cole Gillilan. Jackson, a second-generation presenter, showed a variety of reptiles from turtles to iguanas. Her father, The Reptile Man, is Scott Peterson from Monroe, who started teaching about reptiles more than 35 years ago. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
The Reptile Lady

April Jackson, The Reptile Lady, speaks while students hold a 12-foot Burmese… Continue reading

CRTC, Makah housing partners

Western hemlock to be used for building kits

Signs from library StoryWalk project found to be vandalized

‘We hope this is an isolated incident,’ library officials say

Applications due for reduced-cost farmland

Jefferson Land Trust to protect property as agricultural land

Overnight closures set at Golf Course Road

Work crews will continue with the city of Port… Continue reading

Highway 104, Paradise Road reopens

The intersection at state Highway 104 and Paradise Bay… Continue reading

Transportation plan draws citizen feedback

Public meeting for Dungeness roads to happen next year

Sequim Police officers, from left, Devin McBride, Ella Mildon and Chris Moon receive 2024 Lifesaving Awards on Oct. 28 for their medical response to help a man after he was hit by a truck on U.S. Highway 101. (Barbara Hanna)
Sequim police officers honored with Lifesaving Award

Three Sequim Police Department officers have been recognized for helping… Continue reading

Man in Port Ludlow suspicious death identified

Pending test results could determine homicide or suicide

Virginia Sheppard recently opened Crafter’s Creations at 247 E. Washington St. in Creamery Square, offering merchandise on consignment from more than three dozen artisans and crafters. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Crafter’s Creations brings artwork to community

Consignment shop features more than three dozen vendors

Bark House hoping to reopen

Humane Society targeting January