Firefighters battle overnight blaze at Job Corps dormitory

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 5, the Moses Lake Fire Department and the Ephrata Fire Department battled an overnight structure fire at a dormitory building at the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center Wednesday, extinguishing the blaze after nearly 14 hours of operations. 

Crews were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a fire was reported in one of the dormitory buildings, according to Grant County Fire District 5 Battalion Chief Sean Killion. 

Investigators determined the fire originated in a first-floor laundry and bathroom area. The cause was identified as dirty or possibly plugged dryer ductwork leading to the exterior of the building. 

"The fire could have been prevented if people did their maintenance for their dryer vents," Killion said. "We're supposed to clean those out yearly. Then we wouldn't have been in the situation." 

Firefighters initially believed they had gained control of the fire, but the age and construction of the building complicated suppression efforts. 

"It started off at 5:30 yesterday," Killion said. "We thought we had a knockdown on it, but with the construction of the building, which is from the '40s and '50s, it's balloon-frame construction. So there's no fire blocking between the floors, and it got up into the roof." 

According to Killion, firefighters faced additional challenges because the roof was unusually thick. 

"The roof was difficult because it was about eight to 10 inches thick," he said. "So, it took a long time to be able to cut into the roof to actually get into the fire." 

The Grant County Fire Marshal's Office reported shortly after 9:20 p.m. that firefighting efforts had transitioned to defensive operations, meaning firefighters were forced to withdraw from the interior of the structure and attack the fire from outside. 

As conditions deteriorated and portions of the roof collapsed, crews relied heavily on aerial apparatus to direct water into the building. 

"We had it contained at three o'clock this morning to one side of the structure," Killion said. "We were just overhauling and putting water on the fire because the fire was below all the ceiling stuff that had collapsed. So, all we were able to do was spray water from our aerial ladder into the building." 

The Fire Marshal's Office noted that the building's age, previous modifications and construction methods significantly hampered firefighting efforts. 

Firefighters remained on scene through the night and into Thursday morning before the fire was declared extinguished. 

"We finally cleared there at 7:30 this morning," Killion said. 

In total, six fire engines and two ladder trucks from Grant County Fire District 5 responded to the incident. Ephrata Fire Department provided a ladder truck, while the Moses Lake Fire Department responded with an engine company. 

Killion credited the successful outcome and lack of serious injuries to the cooperation between responding agencies. 

"I think this is a great example of the relationship we have with our mutual aid partners," he said. "That's why we have them come in as well, for their expertise and being able to give our initial fire crews some relief and break times." 

The Grant County Fire Marshal's Office reported no injuries to firefighters or occupants, although firefighters experienced minor smoke exposure during the extended incident. 

"Fire has been extinguished, and all units are clear of the scene," the Fire Marshal's Office stated in a Thursday morning update. "There were no injuries, though we all had a bit of smoke inhalation." 

Fire crews planned to periodically check the structure Thursday to ensure no hidden hot spots remained and to prevent the fire from reigniting. 

Authorities also urged residents to regularly inspect and clean dryer vents and exhaust ducts, noting that routine maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of similar fires.