A fire that ripped through adjoining duplexes Friday morning in Vancouver’s Lincoln neighborhood was caused by improperly discarded cigarettes, according to a deputy fire marshal.
The preliminary investigation found that the blaze was preventable and the result of “a careless smoker discarding cigarette butts in bark dust,” Vancouver Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Lawry said.
The fire damage for both properties was estimated to be about $367,000, according to Lawry.
There were no injuries, he said. Eight people and four pets were displaced. The American Red Cross was called to assist them.
The fire was reported at 9:16 a.m. at 3609, 3611, 3615 and 3619 Olive St.
Two people and their pets escaped via second-floor balconies as a fast-moving fire destroyed their homes.
Vancouver firefighters arrived around the time that the last tenant was rescued by a neighbor, who stood on the roof of a low shed, reached up to her balcony and told the woman to climb onto his shoulders.