Lewis County Fire Districts 1, 5 and 6 responded to a metal shop on fire near Napavine at around noon on Saturday.
The fire, in the 200 block of John Road in rural Chehalis, was contained within 45 minutes before touching the nearby house. Fire District 5 Chief Dan Mahoney said he has community mutual aid to thank for the quick and effective response.
Because metal burns so hot, he said, the side of the house saw partial melting damage but was not scorched. He said there was adequate defensible space — buffer zones without potential fuel — around the home.
“Had the guys not have gotten there as quick as they would have, (the fire) very likely would have ignited that. But the (the property owner) had plenty of distance that would have been required, it’s just a lot of heat,” Mahoney said.
Nearly an hour after crews arrived at the scene, firefighters were still moving the metal from the shop off the fire in order to prevent it from shielding in heat.
The cause of the shop fire is still under investigation, Mahoney said. No people or animals were harmed due to the blaze.
“I’m just thankful for all our mutual aid help, our neighbors. It was a save,” he said, adding while pointing to the shop, “That can all be replaced, that (the house) can’t.”
