Firefighters injured responding to North Whidbey blaze Thursday

A house, two vehicles and a boat were all destroyed in a fire early Thursday morning.

By Karina Andrew • May 13, 2022 1:30 am

Two firefighters were injured while responding to a residential fire that engulfed a North Whidbey home early Thursday morning.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded to a call about a house fire on Sunset Drive at 12:20 a.m. The agency was joined by Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, the Oak Harbor Fire Department, the Navy Fire Department and the Mt. Erie Fire Department.

Both of the firefighters hurt were with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue. One was injured when he fell into a hole about four feet deep on the property’s lawn, which North Whidbey Fire Chief John Clark said was overgrown and difficult to navigate.

Because the firefighter’s back was hurt in the fall, he was transported to the WhidbeyHealth emergency room. He was released later Thursday morning, and Clark said he expects the firefighter will be able to return to work within a few days.

The second injury took place when part of the house’s porch fell on another firefighter. He was treated at the scene.

The house was already well involved when responders arrived. None of the house’s residents were at home on the night of the fire.

The house and two vehicles and a boat parked in the driveway were all total losses. The fire department did not have an official cost estimate as of Thursday afternoon, but Clark said between the house, the two vehicles and the boat, the loss would likely exceed $400,000.

As of Thursday afternoon, the cause of the fire was still under investigation, though Clark said the damage was so extensive it is unlikely the department will be able to pinpoint the cause.

Firefighters were on the scene until around 5:30 a.m.