Yesterday was the first official day as Snoqualmie Fire Chief for Mark Correira – and he was greeted by two house fires in the Valley. Quite a first day.
Downtown Snoqualmie Fire
Around 12PM, Monday, February 3, 2014, an inappropriately installed wood stove caused about $50,000 in damage to a single-family home in the 
3800 block of Northern Street in downtown Snoqualmie.
The homeowner, who was home at the time of the fire, called A 911. Snoqualmie and Fall City firefighters responded and arrived within six minutes. Once on scene, firefighters found another resident putting water on the fire, attempting to help the homeowner. Firefighters further extinguished the fire and confirmed that it had not spread to other parts of the home.
According to Snoqualmie Fire Chief Mark Correira, the fire was believed to have started in the chimney chase after the wood stove piping failed and collapsed.
“The fire burned up the chimney chase and crept into the attic,” said Fire Chief Correira. “This fire could have been much worse had it not been discovered so early, or had the occupants not reacted so quickly.”
North Bend Way Fire
Multiple fire trucks responded to a house fire in the 45000 block of SE North Bend – right near the Millwork Outlet – around 2PM, February 3rd. The home was tucked away behind the Millwork Outlet.
One witness called it a “large house fire,” with flames visible to vehicles on North Bend Way through the trees.
Snoqualmie Fire Chief Correira said the call went to Eastside Fire & Rescue, but that Snoqualmie FD also responded. He said the fire occurred in a home that was for sale and unoccupied.
Correira said that although the fire was knocked down fairly quickly, it was still a tough one to completely extinguish. He estimated crews were on the scene for about four hours putting out hot spots. Corriera said eventually fire fighting foam had to be put under the home to fully extinguish it.
