News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Jul. 06, 2009

Fire ravages Ferndale home, but no one injured

FERNDALE - A fire devastated a home in the 2300 block of Thornton Road Sunday night, July 5, said Fire Inspector Bill Hewett.

Whatcom County Fire Districts 7 and 8 were called at about 10:45 p.m., and flames were coming through the home's roof when crews arrived. Crews were there for several hours trying to extinguish the fire.

Three people were in the home at the time, and all of them escaped safely. The fire began when the homeowner was burning garbage and paper in the fireplace. The heat ignited the wood around the fireplace and then spread to the roof. The occupants didn't realize the home was on fire until someone came over and told them.

Hewett estimated the damage to the house was about $200,000. Residents stayed with family Sunday night.