Despite living on the lake, water was the biggest challenge for the firefighters who responded to a house fire on Lake Tapps Sunday.
Dispatchers received multiple calls for the fire just before 11:30 a.m. on the 21000 block of Snag Island Drive East. The smoke could be seen from across the lake.
When crews from East Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived, the fire had burned the side of the home and into the attic. Additional firefighters were called in from King County Fire and Rescue and Orting Valley Fire and Rescue to assist.
There are no fire hydrants on Snag Island, requiring crews to truck in water to the fire using specialized vehicles called tenders.
The East Pierce marine unit was also dispatched to the scene and the firefighters began drafting water from the lake.
However, that is a slow process. More than an hour after arriving on scene, East Pierce Fire Chief Bud Backer said the lack of an adequate water supply continued to hamper firefighting efforts.
“We are still very limited on water supply,” he said.
The homeowner said batteries charging in the basement may have caused the fire. Fire investigators have not yet determined the official cause. More than 20 firefighters battled the blaze. There were no reported injuries.
Less than 10 minutes after the fire was reported, East Pierce firefighters received a report of smoke in a residence at a home on the outskirts of Bonney Lake. Additional 911 calls Sunday for medical emergencies compelled the fire district to declare a general alarm, bringing in off-duty firefighters and volunteers to assist in responding to multiple calls.
On Monday, at the press deadline, there was no new information regarding the cause or damage to the home.
