MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — Firefighters had to shuttle water in from over a mile away to extinguish a house fire in Maple Valley early this morning, according to Puget Sound Regional Fire.
The fire first broke out shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday at a home along SE 216th Street.
Firefighters from Puget Sound Fire faced significant challenges reaching the scene due to a narrow access road and a lack of nearby water sources. The home was located roughly 1,200 feet from the main road, requiring crews to establish a lengthy manual supply line to combat the flames.
Officials say approximately 25 firefighters arrived to find the home becoming a smoldering ruin. Because the residence sits more than a thousand feet from the main road, crews were forced to run an extensive length of hose to reach the flames. Three fire vehicles were specifically dedicated to linking the hose from Southeast 216th Street to the house and dousing the flames.
According to Pat Pawlak with Puget Sound Fire, the access road to the property was narrow and became even more restricted at the end, making it difficult for large fire engines to maneuver. Firefighters were able to find the home by a glow in the sky.
Despite crews battling the fire for an hour, the home was ultimately destroyed. Two residents escaped the burning structure and are currently receiving assistance from the Red Cross.
This incident mirrors a similar fire that happened in Kent back in January. In that case, another home was destroyed in an area where the nearest hydrant was 2.5 miles away.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Puget Sound Regional Fire. No other buildings were damaged, and no firefighters were hurt.
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