Peninsula Daily News

BRINNON — A fire that destroyed a Port Townsend man’s motor home but caused no injuries blocked both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 near Dosewallips Road beginning at about 11:38 a.m. today.

The highway was opened to traffic by 1:40 p.m., the state Department of Transportation said in a memo.

The driver — 74-year-old James D. Simco of Port Townsend, who was traveling north with his dog — was not hurt, said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, State Patrol spokeswoman.

His 1992 Mallard 21-foot motor home eventually was fully engulfed in flames, and probably was completely destroyed, she said.

Hedstrom said that a passing motorist spotted flames coming from the motor home as both traveled on the highway. The motorist managed to get Simco’s attention, and he pulled over.

She praised Simco for making sure he stopped well away from homes or businesses.

“He passed a gas station and a couple of residences,” Hedstrom said. “He was thinking.

“Instead of pulling over there, he kept going. He got to a safe place.”

The cause of the fire was unknown, although State Patrol Sgt. Gailin Hester said the fire could have started in the transmission, and spread, Hedstrom said.