Massive fire draws big response

Kitsap agencies help

Matt Baide | May 11, 20230

Courtesy photo

Smoke billows from a structure at All West Coast Auto Wrecking on state Route 3 near Pickering Road north of Shelton.

Courtesy photo

Smoke fills the air as fire crews battle a fire May 3.

Central Mason Fire and EMS received an "all call" dispatch May 3 after a commercial structure fire broke out at All West Coast Auto Wrecking north of Shelton on state Route 3.

According to a news release from CMFE, crews arrived within minutes to a 60-by-150 foot automotive warehouse with heavy fire and black smoke. The fire burned about 40 vehicles and several hundred tires, and was fueled by 3,500 gallons of waste fuel including gas, diesel and oil.

"I've been in the business for 36 years. (This is) easily in my top five in 36 years," CMFE Chief Jeff Snyder told the Journal. "It was an extremely difficult fire because it was fed by petroleum products, waste fuel, tires, all that sort of stuff."

Snyder said two people were working in the shop when the fire started. One person suffered burns and smoke inhalation and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Crews tried to be offensive but had to pull back due to heavy fire activity. Water supply was a problem with no hydrants in the area. CMFE sought mutual aid and received water trucks from Mason and Kitsap counties, which helped shuttle water from Spencer Lake.

"There was pretty heavy smoke coming out and we advanced a hose crew to the interior to try to extinguish the fire," Snyder said. "While in there, crews experienced rapid change and visibility went to zero. The temperature rose, they started to feel the heat with zero visibility and high heat, they backed out of the building. At that point, we determined we would go defensive, contain the fire, surround and drown is what we call it and make sure it doesn't get any bigger than we want it to."

Crews eventually extinguished the fire. Damage was estimated at $1.1 million.

The three-alarm fire included 50 personnel and several fire engines and water tenders. CMFE thanked Mason County Fire District's 2, 4, 6, 11, 13, North Mason Regional Fire Authority, West Mason Fire, Poulsbo Fire Department, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Mason County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol, Mason County PUD 3, Mason County Public Works, MACECOM, state Department of Ecology and state Department of Transportation.

"We want to thank the public for patience," Snyder said. "We know it's disruptive to block the highway. We took over Spencer Lake boat launch. We appreciate the public in supporting us, it's a team effort, none of us are an island."