The West Thurston Fire Authority reported Saturday night that a blaze that once threatened to consume 35 structures and 30 vehicles in Rochester ended up burning one primary residence, an outbuilding and 20 vehicles before being contained.
Firefighters responded to a barn fire and a subsequent brush fire in the area of 195th Avenue Southwest and Pecan Street Southwest in Rochester around 5 p.m. Saturday. Crews from Lewis and Thurston counties responded in addition to air support from the state Department of Natural Resources.
“Thank you to all who helped on the fire today,” West Thurston Fire wrote in an online update. “32 Fire units and a DNR helicopter and man power was deployed today. The Level 3 evacuation in place has been canceled. This was originally a structure fire that extended to 1.5 acres. 1 primary structure and 1 confirmed outbuilding lost. Fire is now out, in mop up, lots of smoke to continue for next couple days. Units will monitor throughout the night. Today 35 structures, 30 vehicles were threatened. 1 house, 1 out building and 20 vehicles lost. Cause under investigation.”
The blazes were first reported by the Thurston Co. Scanner, News & Weather Blog.
“A baseball-field-sized brush fire was reported,” the blog wrote Saturday afternoon. “Multiple vehicles and structures are reported to be on fire. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office has been called in to help with nearby evacuations.”
This story will be updated.
