Bonney Lake man escapes Monday house fire

Published 11:11 am Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A Bonney Lake man escaped a house fire that started around 5:30 p.m. Monday, on the 20600 block of La Paloma Drive East. Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the single-wide manufactured home.

According to East Pierce spokesperson Dina Sutherland, the crews were able to quickly contain the fire. However, the firefighters faced several challenges. Crews had to use chain saws to cut through vegetation and a privacy fence to reach the back of the house, while low hanging power lines and ammunition in the house posed possible threats to the firefighters.

The Pierce County Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire. The home is a total loss, although the estimated dollar value is yet to be determined.

The resident was treated on the scene for possible smoke inhalation, but was not transported to the hospital. Fire crews worked with the American Red Cross to assist in finding temporary housing for him and his pets.