Fire burns Ephrata home

EPHRATA — Fire significantly damaged an Ephrata home, partially collapsing the roof while nearly engulfing a neighbor's home in flames Sunday night.

Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns said crews were alerted to the residential fire, 71 "G" St. N.E, about 7 p.m. They discovered a single-story, wood-framed duplex with heavy fire bursting through the south side of the residence.

The owner, Linda Williams, was not home when the blaze started. She arrived as the fire was being fought. No injuries were immediately reported, Burns said. The Williams family lost pet cats due to the smoke and flames.

The fire is under investigation, the chief said, but there's no indication of wrongdoing.

Heat and flames from Williams' residence began igniting a neighbor's home on the south side, causing some damage. The two homes were separated by less than 15 feet, Burns said.

Firefighters from the city and Grant County Fire District 13 mounted a two-pronged attack.

Ephrata crews shielded the neighbor's home by knocking flames down and cooling the exterior with water.

District 13 crews entered Williams' home to battle the blaze.

Burns said firefighters saved the neighbor's home and lessened damage to Williams' residence.

The fire posed difficult challenges as it raced through the attic space of Williams' home, Burns said. Roof supports on the south side of the home were burned through, causing partial collapse of the roof.

Firefighters wrestled the blaze under control in less than 30 minutes, Burns said.

Initial damage estimates reached $70,000 to Williams' home, the chief said. The neighboring home suffered about $2,500 in exterior heat damage. Both estimates are conservative, Burns said. The homes are insured.