A house behind Prospector's Restaurant in Gold Bar was destroyed by fire Saturday evening.
At 6:03 p.m. Fire District #26 received a call for a residential structure fire located in the 100 block of 2nd Street. The first fire department unit arrived at 6:06, three minutes after alarm notification.
The house fire, located behind Prospectors Restaurant, was noticed by patrons of the restaurant. Several patrons attempted to enter the structure prior to the fire department's arrival, believing an occupant was trapped inside.
One patron, a retired Los Angeles county fire captain, made several attempts but was driven back by heat and smoke.
"There were some very heroic attempts by citizens of our community to rescue the occupant," the retired firefighter said. "I wish I had a Scott pack," referring to a supplied breathing apparatus wore by firefighters entering buildings where heat and smoke prevents the ability to breathe.
Firefighters from Fire District # 26 in Gold Bar and Fire District # 5 in Sultan responded, finding flames engulfing the structure.
Firefighters forced entry through the front door of the home, attacking the fire and performing a standard search and rescue for occupants. The first fire crews inside located the only occupant, carrying him outside the home where they began to perform CPR.
Fire District # 26 paramedics treated the patient at the scene, and then transported the occupant to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The home did not have any working smoke alarms.
"This is another clear example of the importance of working smoke alarms in every home," said Gold Bar Fire Chief Eric Andrews.
Fire District # 26 offers free smoke alarms and batteries for smoke alarms to any resident of the District. In addition, when requested, firefighters will help with the installation of smoke alarms or testing of existing alarms.
Most fire departments in Snohomish County offer assistance with assuring every home has a smoke alarm. Anyone needing assistance should contact their local fire department.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause of the fire, which appears to be accidental. Several Fire District #26 firefighters were on other emergencies when the alarm was received. Fire District # 26 is a volunteer fire department serving Gold Bar and the surrounding rural area, as well as providing paramedic services to most of the Skykomish Valley from Gold Bar to Stevens Pass.
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