Power pole climbing cat causes wildfire near Ephrata

Grant County Fire District No. 13/courtesy photoA power pole climbing cat is to blame for a wildfire near Ephrata early Wednesday morning.

Grant County Fire District No. 13/courtesy photo A power pole climbing cat is to blame for a wildfire near Ephrata early Wednesday morning.

| August 3, 2017 3:00 AM

Grant County Fire District No. 13/courtesy photo A power pole climbing cat is to blame for a wildfire near Ephrata early Wednesday morning.

EPHRATA — For the second time in two weeks a power pole climbing feline has sparked a wildfire in Grant County.

The curious cat reportedly scaled a power pole in the 17400 block of Road B Northwest, near Ephrata, and sparked the fire about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to Grant County Fire District No. 13.

The fire quickly spread to multiple outbuildings and left several junk vehicles and a camper in ruins. An abandoned home in the vicinity was not destroyed. The Ephrata Fire Department provided mutual aid and helped GCFD No. 13 in containing the fire and keeping it from spreading to nearby residences.

There were no reported injuries or homes destroyed in the blaze.

— Staff report