News - Local News - On Patrol

POSTED: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008

Fire inside Bellingham station damages engine, equipment

BELLINGHAM — A fire engine and equipment onboard it were severely damaged early Monday morning, Nov. 24, after a fire broke out at Bellingham Fire Station No. 4.

The fire was likely caused when a cable running electricity to the onboard computer and heating systems shorted and ignited the 1989 truck's engine compartment, said Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd.

Fire crews in the station, 2306 Yew St., were alerted to the fire around 2:20 a.m. by the station's alarm system. Crews and activated sprinklers put out the fire.

No one was injured, but the station received minor smoke damage and the engine, valued between $30,000 and $50,000, is expected to be a total loss, Boyd said.

"That engine was due to be replaced," Boyd said, adding that he expects a replacement to arrive in about a month.

The 12-person fire crew assigned to the station will be temporarily reassigned to Bellingham Fire Station No. 3 on Indian Street until clean-up can be completed.

In the interim, Whatcom County Fire District No. 4 will help respond to Bellingham Fire's eastern territory near Lake Whatcom, Boyd said.

The total amount of smoke damage to Station No. 4 was still being determined, Boyd said. He was unsure when it will reopen.