VRFA Blotter: Accidents, gas leak and an explosion caused by a squirrel

Here are 911 Calls for Service responded to by the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) from Aug. 28 – Sept. 3, 2023:

• Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Monday, August 28th at 8:54 a.m., firefighters responded to reports of a car accident with multiple injured occupants. On scene, VRFA personnel treated two patients in two separate vehicles for minor injuries. One patient was transported to a local hospital by private ambulance.
• Brush Fire: (Lea Hill) On Monday, August 28th at 05:37 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a brush fire along a busy roadway. Firefighters arrived to find a large, slow-moving grass fire. Firefighters had to shut down a lane of traffic to establish a safe working zone and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Firefighters then had to overhaul the area and dig out hot spots. Minor property damage to a small fence and no injuries from this incident occurred.
• Aid Call: (North Auburn) On Tuesday, August 29th at 7:54 a.m., firefighters responded to a childbirth along with King County Paramedics. Firefighters assisted with the birthing process including cutting the umbilical cord. A331 transported both mother and baby to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.
• Gas Leak: (Lea Hill) On Wednesday, August 30th at 10:18 a.m., firefighters responded to a report of a natural gas leak at a residence. On arrival, firefighters found a landscaper had accidentally cut an ½ inch of natural gas line. PSE arrived and shut down the leaking line.
• Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, August 31st at 11:54 a.m., firefighters responded with Washington State Patrol to a two-car accident with minor injuries. VRFA crews were blocking the right turn lane with a fire engine, aid car, and traffic cones to create a safe working area when a driver drove over the traffic cones, into that work area with a pickup truck, in an attempt to enter the turn lane. That driver was stopped by the WSP and detained while VRFA crews finished with patient care.
• Aid Call: (Auburn) On Thursday, August 31st at 5:20 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of an unconscious and unresponsive male behind Fred Meyer. Upon arrival, firefighters mechanically ventilated the patient while King County Medics administered Narcan. The patient became alert and was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center via TriMed Ambulance for further evaluation and treatment.
• Residential Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, September 2nd VRFA firefighters responded to a house fire on West Hill. Firefighters determined the fire had started outside and spread into the attic. It required an extensive overhaul to access the entire fire area. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.
• Explosion: (Algona) On Sunday, September 3rd at 3:58 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of an explosion on a utility pole. Firefighters arrived and found a circuit breaker at the top of the pole had tripped, and a dead squirrel was found on the transformer. Firefighters contacted PSE to have the breaker reset.