A fire that destroyed four homes in Elmer City last week left the fire chief thankful for his neighbors, who he said likely prevented a larger catastrophe. Okanogan Fire District 2 Chief Dave Finch said some 41 firefighters from every local department were in Elmer City Tuesday night to fight the fire that started about 6 p.m. in high winds in the Grand View Trailer Park just below SR-155. The first trucks had just arrived on scene when the wind blew the fire across the highway, he said. Finch said he wasn't completely sure of the number of homes gone in the trailer park because he hasn't learned the outcome of an investigation into its cause being conducted by Colville Tribal Police. A walk through the area several days after the fire definitely revealed at least two completely destroyed mobile homes with nothing but the bottom steel frame left.