Wash. Firefighter Engulfed in Flames at Blaze

A firefighter escaped injury after he was briefly engulfed in flames while fighting a blaze that officials say may have been caused by a man who used a lighter to look under his bed.

A Camas man didn't have a flashlight and so used a lighter to look under his bed, fire officials said.

Although investigators haven't officially determined the cause, they are looking into whether the incident led to the blaze that destroyed a bedroom in a two-story townhouse in Camas this morning.

Twenty two fire personnel from Camas-Washougal Fire District and East County Fire & Rescue responded to the blaze, reported at 9:35 a.m. to a unit at 256 S.E. Weir Street, Camas.

When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames showing from a second floor bedroom and quickly attacked the fire, Camas-Washougal Fire Chief Nick Swinhart said.

While attacking the flames with water, an unknown object fell from a window sill and exploded, briefly engulfing a firefighter in flames, he said. His partner quickly turned the hose onto the crew member, and the firefighter escaped injury.

"Fortunately it appears the firefighter was protected by his gear and did not suffer any injuries," Swinhart said in a release.

Damage to the townhouse was confined to the bedroom, but the rest of the residence sustained smoke and water damage, he said.

The American Red Cross has been notified for assistance for the two adult male occupants who will be displaced.

Copyright 2013 - The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.