He had gone back in to save the two cats who resided in the house since all of the human residents had already been evacuated.
At about 3 a.m., crews from the Poulsbo Fire Department arrived to the two-story triplex on fire on Arbutus Court. A 20-year-old woman who was house sitting had awakened to find a couch on fire in the living room and she immediately called 911.
When firefighters got there, they found smoke and flames coming from the side of the house. Poulsbo police roused neighbors, advising a young couple in the lower unit and an 80-year-old woman in the upper unit to evacuate the premises.
The firefighter was injured when he fell though the first floor.
Additional fire units were sent from the areas Kingston, Silverdale, Bremerton and Naval Base Kitsap.
Fire damage to the main unit is quite extensive, and there is significant water and smoke damage. The Kitsap County fire marshal is now investigating the cause.
The injured Poulsbo firefighter was treated at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton and released with only minor injuries. The house sitter suffered from minor smoke inhalation. She was examined by firefighters but declined to be taken to the hospital. The 80-year-old woman was assisted by the Red Cross. The young couple in the lower unit were able to return their home.
The two cats perished in the fire.
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