Aberdeen Fire Department Battles Two Structure Fires Just Five Minutes Apart

The Aberdeen Fire Department responded to two major residential structure fires just five minutes apart during the early morning hours of July 5, requiring a large-scale regional response from multiple Grays Harbor County fire agencies.

The Aberdeen Fire Department responded to two major residential structure fires just five minutes apart during the early morning hours of July 5, requiring a large-scale regional response from multiple Grays Harbor County fire agencies.

South West Boulevard Fire

The first call came in at 2:41 a.m. for a structure fire in the 200 block of South West Boulevard.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire at the rear of an occupied home. Crews from the Aberdeen and Hoquiam Fire Departments worked for approximately 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading.

Everyone inside the home was able to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported. The displaced residents are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Fire officials say the home is a total loss, and a neighboring residence also sustained damage due to the intensity of the fire. Investigators believe the fire was caused by fireworks.

Cherry Street Fire

While crews were responding to the first incident, a second structure fire was reported at 2:46 a.m. in the 1300 block of Cherry Street.

Firefighters arrived to find an abandoned structure with the first floor fully engulfed in flames.

Additional resources responded from the Hoquiam, Cosmopolis, and Montesano Fire Departments, Grays Harbor Fire District No. 2, and Aberdeen Fire Department command staff. Crews worked for approximately two hours before bringing the fire under control.

The building is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is not believed to be related to fireworks.

Regional Response

The combined response to both fires included:

• Nine fire engines

• Two medic units

• One basic life support aid unit

• One command vehicle

• Four off-duty chief officers

The Aberdeen Police Department and Grays Harbor 911 Communications also played key roles in supporting both incidents.

The fires occurred during one of the busiest times of the year for Grays Harbor 911. Dispatchers managed two working structure fires while handling more than 800 emergency calls throughout the Fourth of July holiday, coordinating resources and supporting responders across the county.

The Aberdeen Fire Department credited automatic and mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments for ensuring enough firefighters, equipment, and personnel were available to safely manage both emergencies at the same time.

Despite the scale of the incidents, no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Fire Chief Praises Regional Teamwork

Fire Chief Dave Golding thanked all of the agencies involved in the response.

"The successful outcome of these incidents is a direct result of the professionalism, teamwork, and commitment demonstrated by every agency involved. I want to thank our neighboring fire departments, Aberdeen Police Department, and the dispatchers at Grays Harbor 911 for their outstanding support. This response demonstrates the strength of our regional partnerships and our shared commitment to protecting the residents of Grays Harbor County."

The Aberdeen Fire Department encourages anyone seeking additional information about either incident to contact the department directly.