House fire destroys abandoned home east of Bonney Lake
An abandoned house in East Pierce County burned to the ground Sunday, according to fire officials. A neighbor reported seeing smoke come from a second-story window.
Firefighters were called at about 11:25 a.m. to 25813 Sumner Buckley Highway, about 5-and-a-half miles east of Bonney Lake. East Pierce Fire & Rescue said crews found fire visible on the second floor and began putting out the flames.
Crews confirmed the house was abandoned, and officials said firefighters transitioned to a defensive fire attack by dousing the structure with water from outside.
No injuries were reported, but the property posed some challenges for firefighters. In a tweet, East Pierce Fire & Rescue said overhead power lines and a fire that burned in the house five months ago prevented crews from fighting the fire from inside. Assistance was requested from Puget Sound Energy to contend with the power lines.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department was also called
to assist with traffic control on Sumner Buckley Highway. Other fire departments responded to provide mutual aid, including Orting Valley Fire & Rescue and Enumclaw and Buckley fire departments. Crews reportedly worked the fire for more than four hours.
It’s unclear how the fire started. East Pierce Fire & Rescue said the Pierce County Fire Marshal is investigating.
