Guemes Island Fire Department Skagit County Fire Protection District #17 Structure Fire Report Report Date: Incident Date: May 20, 2012 911 Called: 14:42:48 Address: 4142 Clark Point Road, Guemes Island, WA 98221 Structure Description: This is an 10,716 square foot, single family residence. It consists of a north/south gable roofed main building with east/west gable roofed wings on the north and the south. The main building features a great room and connecting dining room area with two story cathedral ceilings of finished tongue and groove wood. Architectural features include concealed spaces in attics and roof overhangs. An on-site hydrant provides a water supply gravity fed from a pond containing approximately 300,000 gallons of water. The structure also has a swimming pool containing 42,000 gallons of water (we were not able to effectively use the pool as a water source). Fire Origin and Spread: Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire most likely started in the second floor chase for the kitchen fireplace. This is a fairly large fully enclosed wood framed space housing a diagonal leg of the metal chimney. The fire appears to have spread up through a 2X12 rafter space connecting the chimney chase to the attic of the south wing s gable roof. It also spread into an adjacent enclosed space under the lower section of the north sided of the south wing s roof and from this space through a wall into the dining room space where the cathedral ceiling became involved. Upon entering the cathedral ceiling space, the fire spread rapidly through the dining room and great room of the structure. Please note that these are preliminary observations and the official determination of origin and spread will appear in the fire investigation report of the Skagit County Fire Marshal s Office. Fire Suppression Challenges: Numerous concealed spaces in the area of origin greatly complicated fire suppression throughout the Initial Attack and Fire Suppression phases. As the fire extended into the dining room/great room complex, additional concealed spaces added to fire suppression challenges. Very steep (12/12 pitch) cedar shingled roofs with multiple gable directions contributed to fire spread through the attic and cathedral ceiling spaces. Operations on these steep, slippery pitches were both difficult and hazardous. Geographical features complicated access to the scene. The house is located midslope on a relatively steep bank overlooking the beach and Puget Sound to the west. A single lane driveway loops from the northeast through a courtyard on the east side of the house then under a bridge in the south wing of the house and then climbs steeply back to the east. Access for apparatus is severely limited and became clogged up with first-in vehicles early in the incident. Access for operations on the west side of the house was hampered by steep irregular slopes. The large footprint of the house and fencing around the pool located just to the north also contributed to access issues for fire fighting teams.
Road access to the scene also proved to be a challenge. Located approximately ¾ of a mile from the nearest public road, access was via one lane private drives. Apparatus staging and movement became one of the most serious management issues. over the course of the fire 28 apparatus arrived at the scene and six tenders were employed shuttling water. Fortunately a large lawn at the top of the hill to the east above the house provided space for staging, water operations, and secondary pumper operations. Communications were very difficult. The incident was located in a part of the island where line of sight with any of the county s communications towers is spotty. The house itself sits in a hollow which combined with rainy weather conditions greatly reduced radio communication effectiveness. Communications were spotty, at best, both on the fireground, and with dispatch and responding resources. Fire Suppression Strategy Initial Attack: Once assured there were no life safety issues, the initial attack strategy was limited to exterior operations. During this phase, the response was limited to GIFD members, meaning we had a maximum of 6 combat firefighters. On this type of fire, with no life safety issues, we are required to have a minimum of 9 combat firefighters for interior operations (3 in, 3 out, and 3 for a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team)). The suppression strategy was: Work the seat of the fire at the chimney with hose lines Open up the gable vent in the east end above the firewall in the south wing and attempt to extinguish the fire with a stream through the attic space. Fire Suppression Phase 1: With the arrival of mutual aid teams from Fidalgo Island, we were able to become more aggressive. Two entry teams with back-ups were formed. A formal RIT was established. Exterior hose line operations continued while limited interior operations were undertaken. The fire suppression strategy was: Division A continued to work the seat of the fire and gable end vents to cool the fire. Side C was added to the fight with exterior operations located on the southwest porch under the direction of the Division B commander. Division B interior operations in the south wing were undertaken to gather intelligence on fire conditions and to secure the firewall located just to the east of the master bedroom complex. Division A interior operations were undertaken from the doorway under the bridge on the north side of the dining room/great room complex to gather intelligence on fire extension and attempt to contain the fire to the south wing. When the dining room/great room complex became fully involved, the Division A entry team was re-tasked to roof operations north of the bridge in the main wing of the building. The strategy shifted to containing the rapidly growing fire. A trench style roof ventilation cut and water curtain strategy successfully cut off the fire before it reached the north wing of the structure. More mutual aid was requested in the form of a Tender Strike Team (5 tenders) and a Structural Firefighting Strike Team (10 firefighters). Fire Suppression Phase 2: The arrival of the Tender Strike Team allowed us to set up a tender water shuttle and ensured a continuous water supply. The arrival of the Structural Firefighting Strike Team (actually significantly more than 10 firefighters) allowed us to switch to offensive interior operations. Exterior attacks continued on sides A, B, and C, but the strategy shifted from containment to extinguishment. Division A and Division B commanders were given the go ahead to enter the structure and control what was now a contained fire. Much of this effort focussed on opening up concealed spaces and extinguishing hidden pockets of fire.
Overhaul: At appropriate times during the fire, resources were diverted to overhaul activities. Overhaul was limited and only undertaken in safe zones. Incident Command directed Division B teams to clear equipment and files from the office in the South Wing. Incident Command also gave permission to the homeowner to remove personal items from the garage. The cabana area of the north wing was cleared of personal items without permission - persons engaged in this activity were ordered out of the hot zone when Incident Command became aware of their presence. Additional items were recovered after the Fire Suppression was complete. Mop up: Most of the mutual aid resources were released as fire suppression activities wound down. Final mop up and fire watch activities were completed by GIFD crews. Timeline and Narrative Time Event Intial Attack Phase 14:42:38 Reported 14:42:42 Skagit FPD 17 Dispatched. 14:51:31 GIFD Pumper 1711 enroute. 14:53:13 Mutual Aid from Anacortes Fire requested. 14:53:58 10 Minute Benchmark 14:54:14 AFD Pumper 2921 enroute. 14:54:58 Mutual Aid from Mt. Erie FD requested. 14:55:33 AFD Med 14 enroute. 14:56:33 GIFD Water Tender 1716 enroute. 14:56:41 GIFD Pumper 1711 arrived. A fire involving the wooden architectural chimney detail around the metal chimney stack of the kitchen fireplace in the south wing was observed. Flames were showing through the roof around the chimney. No other significant smoke was observed. 1701 pulled a 2½ pre-connect with a 1½ Y connector attached. 1706 initiated pump operations. 1 ½ hotel packs were brought forward and a 1 ½ nozzle attack was commenced on the seat of the chimney fire. 14:57:17 GIFD Ambulance 1719 enroute with manpower. 14:59:08 GIFD Pumper 1712 enroute. 15:01:39 GIFD Brush Rig/Incident Support Vehicle 1714 enroute. 15:02:54 20 Minute Benchmark. 1701 Completes 360 Degree.
15:03:30 The fire had extended into the attic space of the south wing. Significant smoke was observed coming from the attic vents below the east and west gable ends. Mutual Aid from Skagit FPD 13 requested (Engine and Manpower). 15:04:50 GIFD Water Tender 1716 arrived, took the hydrant, and was set up to supply 1711. GIFD Ambulance 1719 arrived with manpower. Two 1½ hoselines were employed to cool the fire at the chimney and through the east gable vent. An additional 2½ line was stretched forward from 1711. 15:06:41 Mt. Erie FD Pumper 1122 enroute. 15:07:12 GIFD Pumper 1712 arrived. The east gable end of the south wing laddered. An attempt was made to attack the fire through the east attic vent. 15:09:00 GIFD Brush Rig/Support Vehicle 1714 arrived and is moved up to position on south side of structure. Rehab was established 15:12:20 30 Minute Benchmark. 15:13:46 Fire Marshal requested. Fire Suppression Phase 1 15:20:16 AFD 2921 arrived. Manpower assigned to division A. 15:24:55 A 3 man entry team was assembled and a 4 man back up team was established. The entry team was sent into south wing to secure the known firewall and report on fire conditions. 15:28:47 AFD Chief 2901 enroute. 15:33:52 50 Minute Benchmark 15:34:06 The fire extended from south wing into cathedral ceiling in dining room. Division A assembled an entry team to try to contain fire to south side of dining room/great room area. 15:35:28 Mt. Erie FD Pumper 1122 arrived. Division A, Division B, and Division C were established. An entry team for Division B was assembled. Back-up teams were established. Incident Command established rules of engagement for internal operations - eyes on entry teams at all times; direct voice or voice relay communications; entry teams not to penetrate deeply into the structure. 15:38:31 Ladder Truck requested. 15:44:00 60 Minute Benchmark. 15:45:59 SCBA air truck requested. 15:46:48 Skagit FPD 13 Ladder Truck 1315 enroute. 15:48:22 AFD Chief 2901 arrived. RIT Team established. Division A entry team
attempted to stop fire progress across dining room ceiling - forced to retreat. Fire extends into great room east/west gable. Side A laddered to east end of great room gable - a 1½ nozzle attack on fire was attempted through attic vent. Division B entry team attempts interior attack on fire in south wing attic and an enclosed space near the chimney chase - forced to retreat. Division C commenced an exterior 1½ hose line attack from the south patio on side C. 15:52:46 Skagit FPD 13 Pumper 1331 enroute. Division A commander requested permission to make a trench cut in the northern part of the main wing. Incident Command approved request and designated the placement north of the main building bridge above a hallway window. The trench cut was completed and a water curtain was established with a third 2½ hoseline from 1711. A ground monitor was added to the Division A attack. 15:55:08 70 Minute Benchmark 16:16:57 Skagit FPD 13 Ladder Truck 1315 arrived. After a discussion involving incident command, it was determined that there was not appropriate place to set up the ladder and attack the fire. Water supply was also an issue. 16:19:15 Additional manpower requested. 16:24:00 100 Minute Benchmark 16:24:46 Skagit FPD 13 Pumper 1331 arrived. Incident Command requested that 1331 establish 3 2½ supply lines to the scene from the green on the hill to the east of the structure. 16:25:13 Skagit FPD 13 Pumper 1311 enroute. 16:26:16 Skagit FPD 2 Ladder Truck 215 enroute. 16:34:11 Skagit DEM SK70 arrived. 16:34:18 110 Minute Benchmark (Benchmarks Discontinued) 16:34:52 AFD Med 18 enroute with manpower. 16:41:31 Skagit FPD 13 Pumper 1328 enroute. 16:55:00 AFD Med 18 arrived. Fire crews rotated through rehab. 16:55:38 Skagit FPD 13 Pumper 1311 arrived. 17:07:18 Skagit FPD 2 Ladder Truck 215 arrived. Incident Command assigned 215 to water supply for 1716 - drafting from the hydrant to improve water flow. Division A entry team removed 2nd story window below trench cut and entered to improve ventilation - forced to retreat by flashover conditions. Division B entry team ensured the firewall was intact and removed personal goods from the office protected by the firewall. Incident Command issued orders that all interior operations cease - defensive measures only.
17:13:16 Mount Vernon FD Rescue Truck (SCBA Refill) 117 arrived. 17:19:38 Requested Mt. Erie Tender. 17:30:29 Mt. Erie FD Tender 1116 enroute. 18:11:05 Mt. Erie FD Tender 1116 arrived. 18:13:08 Requested Tender Strike Team. 18:21:18 McLean Road FD Tender 216 enroute. 18:24:30 Bay View FD Tender 1216 enroute. 18:26:31 Bow FD Tender 516 enroute. 18:27:05 District 13 Tender 1326 enroute. 18:28:18 Red Cross Requested. Personnel Staging Officer assigned and formal firefighter staging established at Rehab. 18:40:23 North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Tender 93T22 enroute. 18:41:50 1702, Apparatus Staging Officer, initiated staging plan for incoming tenders. 19:11:44 McLean Road FD Tender 216 arrived. 19:30:11 Requested Structural Firefighting Strike Team. 2901 released. 19:30:31 The following fire departments were assigned to the call: Conway/Cedardale, Clear Lake, and Big Lake. 19:36:32 Big Lake FD Pumper 912 enroute. 19:37:36 Bow FD Tender 516 arrived. District 13 Tender 1326 arrived. Bay View Tender 1216 arrived. North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Tender 93T22 arrived. 1702 developed and implemented a water shuttle plan - complicated by ¾ mile single lane access road. All apparatus were staged either at the scene or on West Shore Road. All access and egress limited to one apparatus. 19:46:03 Clear Lake FD Pumper 412 enroute. 19:47:38 Big Lake Pumper 912 enroute. Big Lake Command Vehicle 910 enroute. 19:49:16 Fire Marshal SK60 enroute. 19:51:30 Conway FD Pumpers 322 and 324 enroute. 20:23:17 McLean Road Rescue 229 enroute. 20:43:04 Big Lake FD 910 and 912 and Conway FD 322 and 324 arrived. Incident Command - fire contained.
20:57:22 Fire Marshal SK60 arrived. Fire Suppression Stage 2 21:00:00 Incident Command began assigning incoming teams to divisions and identified fire suppression tasks for each division. Stage 1 teams were rotated out over the course of the next hour. Interior operations were resumed and each division commander was requested to develop an action plan for their operations. 21:11:14 Clear Lake FD Pumper 412 arrived. 21:34:23 McLean Road FD Rescue 229 arrived. 21:50:00 Incident Command began to release stage one departments. Tenders were released slowly over the next hour. Clear Lake/Big Lake team was assigned responsibility for Division B. Conway/Cedardale team was assigned responsibility for Division A. McLean Road team was assigned responsibility for Division C and ask to provide additional lighting for the fire scene. Suppression operations proceeded without incident. Mop-up and Overhaul Phase 23:58:18 AFD Med 18 released. All other units released as mop-up operations were completed. 2:00:00 (5/ 21/2012) Most GIFD personnel released 2:31:36 McLean Road Team was the last mutual aid released. 1701, SK60, a Red Cross Volunteer, and two GIFD firefighters remained on scene to continue working hot spots and maintain a fire watch. 6:30:00 GIFD Firefighters released. 7:30:00 1701 passed the scene to SK60. 9:56:19 GIFD began withdrawing 1711, 1716, and associated suppression equipment. 9:30:00 Incident Complete. Mutual Aid Fire Suppression Phase 1 Anacortes Fire Departent Firefighting teams Pumpers ALS Paramedics and Ambulance Chief - Incident Command support during Phase 1 Command Support, including division command Mt. Erie Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #11)
Firefighting teams Pumpers Command Support including division Command, tender shuttle and staging advice, and accountability/personnel staging command Skagit County FPD #13 Firefighting teams Pumpers (including 1331 which, as the second pumper served 3 2½ supply lines to the fire scene) Ladder Truck Command Support - water supply Fire Suppression Phase 2 and Mop-up Mount Vernon Fire Department Fire fighting team Air Truck - SCBA support Command Support North Whidbey Fire and Rescue McLean Road Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #2) Firefighting Teams Pumpers Ladder Truck (provided relay pumping for on-site gravity fed water supply) Command Support - Division Command Conway/Cedardale Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #3) Firefighting Teams Pumper Command Support - Division Command Clear Lake Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #4) Fire Fighting Teams Pumper Command Support - Division Command Bow/Edison/Samish Island Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #5) Big Lake Fire Department (Skagit County FPD #9) Fire Fighting Teams Pumper Command Support - Division Command Bayview Fire Department
Appendix A Aerial Photo - Strategy MLS Listing Photo from OpenHouseAdvertising.com Aerial photo taken from the north. 1. Just above the number 1 is the chimney that was the origin of the fire. 2. The red line indicates the position of the firewall in the south wing. 3. The red line indicates the position of the trench style ventilation cut.
Appendix B Post Fire Images Photo above shows the kitchen chimney that appears to be the origin of the fire. The wall in the foreground is the firewall that held in the south wing. The photo below shows the trench ventilation cut that stopped the fire s progress toward the north wing. (Photos by Mike Stamper)