Pierce County firefighters put out blaze that left South Hill house a total loss
A 2-story house in South Hill was damaged beyond repair Thursday in a fire that spread quickly to its upper level and back porch, according to Graham Fire & Rescue.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, fire department spokesperson Brianna Baker said. She said it might have started inside, but crews initially suspected the fire began on the back porch. The Pierce County fire marshal was called to investigate.
Fire department crews were dispatched at 9:15 a.m. to the fire in the 9500 block of 175th Street Court East, Baker said. Engine units arrived at 9:22 a.m. to the house fully involved by the fire. Video shared by the fire department on Twitter showed a large column of smoke rising over trees.
No one was inside the house when the fire started except a cat, which got out and survived, Baker said. She said the homeowner came home while crews were working to extinguish the fire. Two people lived in the house.
Baker said crews had the fire under control about 10 a.m. She said the fire threatened some nearby trees, and crews used a defensive fire attack, blasting water on it from the exterior. Most of the damage was contained to the back porch and the second level of the home. Crews described the interior damage as extensive, and Baker said it was a total loss.
By 11 a.m., crews were still working to extinguish any hot spots that remained in the home.
This story was originally published June 23, 2022 at 12:16 PM.
