Pleasant Beach fire caused by electric heater

Published 1:00 pm Thursday, February 1, 2007

The flames were visible from Point White, but residents of a Pleasant Beach Drive home weren’t the first to know their roof was on fire Tuesday night. They ultimately escaped harm, but their 3,500-square-foot home was destroyed after the thermostat for an electric heater caught fire in an upstairs office.

Bainbridge firefighters arrived at the home around 8 p.m. after receiving several calls from Point White residents who saw something ablaze at Pleasant Beach. Tyrrell said two residents of the home were inside when the fire began, but weren’t the first to call the fire department.

In all, 40 firefighters, including some from Poulsbo, battled the blaze into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Because there were no nearby hydrants, firefighters used water tenders to supply hoses. One firefighter was taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton and later released. No one else was injured.

Residents of the home were taken in by neighbors, many of whom gathered to offer help and support.

“We were able to contain the fire to the top floor,” Tyrrell said. “But between the water and fire damage, I believe the home is a total loss.”