Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Students assisted in finding alternative housing
PULLMAN — Three Washington State University (WSU) students were displaced during the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 11, after a fire severely damaged their rental home on College Hill.
Pullman firefighters responded to 830 NE Opal Street shortly before 3 p.m., after receiving reports of smoke and flames coming from the roof.
Neighbors saw the flames, called 911, and ensured the occupants safely evacuated the building.
The first fire crews on the scene requested additional support, which came from Whitman County Rural District 12 and the Moscow Fire Department.
Whitman County firefighters assisted on-site, while Moscow sent an engine and an ambulance to cover the city of Pullman. Moscow firefighters also responded to a report of an outdoor fire on College Hill, but found no fire emergency.
Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston said the house’s attic was sealed off, leaving firefighters no choice but to access it through the roof.
Crews quickly found the roof unstable and shifted to a defensive approach to extinguish the fire. The fire damage was contained to the roof and attic, though the first floor suffered water damage.
Deputy Fire Marshal Adam Hoffman interviewed residents and witnesses, who reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the back of the house, near the laundry room and bathroom.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though officials suspect it may have been electrical.
No injuries were reported. WSU Student Affairs staff arrived at the scene to help the displaced students find alternative housing.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
Reader Comments(0)