Fire near Ephrata was caused by unattended space heater

EPHRATA — A fire that destroyed a pair of travel trailers near Ephrata March 4 has been ruled accidental.

Grant County Deputy Fire Marshal Brock Laughlin said the fire, at 10707 NW Road E.6, was caused by an unattended space heater left too close to combustible material. The occupant, a Hispanic man, was not home at the time of the fire, Laughlin said. Laughlin declined to release the resident’s name.

The property is owned by Angel Enciso Guzman and Blanca Sabalza Costellon.

The fire was reported by neighbors living in the house next door, which was not damaged.

Grant County Fire District 13 crews responded to the fire, assisted by the Ephrata Fire Department and an AMR ambulance crew. The fire destroyed a vehicle next to the trailers and threatened others, but fire crews kept it from spreading.

“We don’t recommend space heaters, ever. They are the cause of many fires,” Laughlin said.