No one was injured but an unfinished house at 642 Schoolhouse Lane was destroyed April 30 by an early morning fire of undetermined origin.

Clallam County Fire District 3 Lt. Robert Rhoads said the house is a rural residence with no nearby neighbors.

The fire wasn't discovered until someone on Blue Mountain Road woke up and saw the smoke, he said.

Firefighters were dispatched at 6:10 a.m. and arrived 10-15 minutes later to find the 4,500-square-foot house an estimated 75-percent involved, Rhoads said.

Access was difficult due to a locked gate and narrow road leading to the property, he said.

Firefighters cut out a section of roof to separate the house from the garage and put water on the house, preventing the fire from spreading to the garage, Rhoads said.

Assistant Chief Ben Andrews estimated the garage's value at about $35,000 but didn't have a damage estimate for the unfinished house.

Rhoads said the owner was working on the house but was not in the area when the fire broke out.

The home's interior was not fully completed but siding, roofing and interior drywall were in place, he said.

Clallam County Sheriff's deputies and more than 20 firefighters responded in addition to four water tenders - including two from Fire District No. 2 - four fire trucks, a medic vehicle, one ladder truck and one rescue truck.



Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.