Seaside home destroyed by overnight fire
Seaside, Ore – February 2, 2018 – A two-alarm blaze completely destroyed a Seaside home early this morning. The single-family home, located at 412 N. Holladay and owned by sole-occupant Robert Boucher, was completely engulfed in flames when Seaside Fire and Rescue arrived on scene shortly after 12:35 a.m. This was the second fire in less than 12 hours reported at the residence.
“This is a unique situation,” stated Seaside Fire Marshal Chris Dugan. “The cause of the original fire was undetermined, but most likely appears to have started near an actively burning wood stove.”
Approximately seven hours after crews had left the scene of the original fire, a 911 call from a neighboring residence reported heavy fire involvement at the same structure. Seaside Fire was dispatched and supported by automatic aid crews from Cannon Beach, Gearhart and Hamlet fire departments. The fire quickly grew to a second alarm where Warrenton assisted with suppression of the fire.
A multi-family dwelling north of the fire sustained an estimated $10,000 damage to the exterior and five families were evacuated. A single-family home to the south sustained approximately $30,000 damage to the exterior and that family was also evacuated. All parties asked to leave were able to return to their residences once the blaze was under control. No injuries were sustained by the public or those fighting the fire. The Boucher residence was reported to be uninsured.
Firefighters were hampered by an extremely large amount of burning contents in the original fire. Suppression efforts from the first fire damaged the structure significantly and left the home without some windows and holes in the roof. This, coupled with the current condition of the home – along with moderate winds overnight – contributed significantly to the rapid growth of this fire.
The origin of the second blaze is currently under investigation. However, if anyone has information they think may be helpful in determining a cause, please contact Chris Dugan with Seaside Fire and Rescue at (503) 738-5420, extension 102.
