Report provided by Doug Knutzen
Photos by Alan Mossman and Julie Tennis
Heavy smoke was coming from doors and windows of the Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Station at 2244 hrs. on Nov. 30, 2006. Firefighters summoned to the scene stood by in shock and disbelief.
In the early stages of the response, Fire Chief Tom Williams was trying to put together a plan of attack. With no bunker gear, engines or equipment and heavy smoke pouring out of the building there was not much he could do. Somehow two of the bay doors opened on their own showing the 1st out engine and brush truck still in tact. Assistant Chief Kerry Suomela jumped in the brush truck and Lieutenant John Grocott jumped in the engine. Lt. Grocott was able to drive the engine out of the station but the door in front of the brush truck came back down again. Asst. Chief Suomela was able to start the brush truck and drive it through the closed door.
Chief Williams had the engine take a hydrant and start a defensive attack. Long Beach, Chinook and Pacific County Fire District #1 responded to help put out the blaze. It took 5 engines, 1 tender, 1 aerial bucket, 1 ladder, and 2 ambulances to finally extinguish the 7500 square foot 2 story building at 0600 the next morning.
Chief Williams, a lifelong Ilwaco resident and volunteer firefighter since 1973, stated that two additional engines, the department’s only ambulance, a utility truck with a cascade system, all the marine firefighting equipment, turnout gear for three dozen firefighters and 120 years of history were lost along with the rest of the contents of the building. The main part of the building was built in 1947. It also housed the local Red Cross office and Ilwaco City Council Chambers. The loss is estimated at $2.5 million.
Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Department formed in August 1887. It may be the oldest continually operating fire department in Washington State. It formed two years before Washington became a state. Ilwaco is located at the extreme southwest corner of Washington at the mouth of the Columbia River.
The department’s first pumper, a 1846 Button Brand Squirrel-tail Hand Pumper was out of harm’s way at a local museum.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an electrical panel was located near the source of the fire.
Ilwaco Fire Department can be contracted at
120 1st Avenue North
P.O. Box 342
Ilwaco, WA 98624
ilwacofd@pacifier.com
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READ MORE
- The Daily News, Longview, WA: Fire consumes Ilwaco fire station
- The Daily Astorian: Ilwaco Fire Department burns to the ground
