VRFA Blotter: Lots of fires – vehicle, residential, wildland, even clothing; plus too much tequila

Here are 911 Calls for Service responded to by the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) from July 1–July 7, 2024:

• Clothing on Fire: (Lea Hill) On Monday, July 1st, at 8:59 a.m., VRFA firefighters responded to a report of debris on fire in a parking lot. Upon arrival, they located a pile of clothing on fire in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Firefighters extinguished the fire and confirmed there were no additional hazards.
• Vehicle Fire: (Auburn) On Tuesday, July 2nd, at 5:44 p.m., VRFA firefighters were dispatched to reports of a sedan on fire on the side of the road. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fully involved car fire, which was extinguished without issues. The cause of the fire is unknown at the time of this report.
• Aid Call: (Auburn) On Wednesday, July 3rd at 1:24 p.m., VRFA firefighters and King County Medic One paramedics responded to reports of two patients possibly overdosing. Firefighters arrived to find two patients with pulses but unresponsive. Firefighters and paramedics treated the patients on scene before transporting them to a local hospital by private ambulance for observation.
• Residential Fire: (Auburn) On Thursday, July 4th at 11:00 p.m., VRFA and South King Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire. Firefighters arrived to find a home with fire on the side of the house and in the attic space. Firefighters entered the home to search for victims and extinguish the fire. They were able to put out the fire and confirmed that the house had no occupants. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
• Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, July 4th at 7:30 p.m., VRFA firefighters and King County Medic One paramedics responded to a reported motor vehicle accident. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle with heavy damage and one patient with critical injuries. The patient was treated on scene and then transported by King County Medic One paramedic to Harborview Medical Center. A flatbed tow truck was also involved and ended up in the adjacent retention pond. The fuel tank was torn from the truck and fuel had been spilled into the pond. There were no injuries from the tow truck. The Department of Ecology was contacted about the spill.
• Wildland Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, July 5th at 1:23 a.m., VRFA firefighters responded to a reported fire in the wilderness near Game Farm Park and the Stuck River. The fire was identified early in the morning but access difficulties extended the duration of the event. Firefighters and Senior Leadership developed a strategy to mitigate the fire, which was implemented around 5:00 a.m. Firefighters used a raft to cross the Stuck River to reach the fire location. The fire covered about 2 acres and did not threaten any homes. Firefighters quickly worked to contain the fire and took measures to ensure it would not reignite.
• Aid Call: (Lakeland Hills) On Sunday, July 6th at 2:28 a.m., VRFA firefighters responded to an adult male who had consumed an excess amount of tequila. The patient had no other complaints and was evaluated by the firefighters before being transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by a private ambulance for continued care.
• Aid Call: (Pacific) On Sunday, July 7th at 12:05 p.m., VRFA firefighters responded to an adult male who had dislocated his knee. The patient was treated on location by firefighters and then transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.