Crews from six departments battle shed fire near Buckley

Published 1:28 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Jessica Keller, The Courier-Herald

Firefighters and equipment from six different departments fought flames at a shed fire outside Buckley last week.

Firefighters first heard of the fire at 4:56 p.m. April 21, with the first unit - firefighters from district 12 - arriving at 5:05 p.m. to the scene, a shed behind a residence in the 28000 block of 133rd Street East off of state Route 165 between Buckley and Burnett.

Firefighters from other departments including District 20, East Pierce Fire and Rescue, Buckley, Enumclaw and District 18 out of Orting also responded.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Marshall John MacDonald said firefighters who first responded reported they could see a large column of black smoke at the scene from a mile away. When firefighters arrived, 50 percent of the shed was on fire. A total of 16 units and apparatus, with approximately 48 personnel on scene, responded because water was not readily available close by, and more equipment such as tenders, to shuttle water, were needed to help put out the fire.

Because firefighters didn't know what materials, pesticides or chemicals were inside the shed during the fire, they maintained an exterior defensive attack throughout the fire.

The shell of the building is still standing, MacDonald said, but the inside was gutted by the fire.

The building, approximately 30 by 20 feet with a partial loft, was a community storage shed shared by houses nearby. MacDonald said a number of families lost personal belongings and maintenance materials in the fire, including a community lawn mower.

But as no people or animals were injured, MacDonald thought it turned out very well.

MacDonald said Thursday the fire appeared to be accidental, although firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Jessica Keller can be reached at jkeller@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald