The Oak Harbor Fire Department burned a Southeast Ely Street house to practice extinguishing fires Saturday. Fire Chief Ray Merrill said Oak Harbor firefighters were joined by crews from North Whidbey Fire and Rescue and the Navy fire department, as well as three Oak Harbor council members. In all, about 40 people participated in the practice burn. The owner of the two-story, 1940s house wanted it demolished and offered it to the fire department. Merrill said fire were set in various areas of the house for firefighters to repeatedly extinguish. “Actively going in a real, live fire, with heat and smoke, where we can hear the crackle and see the flames spread across the ceiling, that’s just absolutely wonderful training,” the chief said.