Worland house fire caused by 'unintentional ignition'

WORLAND — The occupants of a home in Worland made it out safely after the building caught fire last week, according to the Worland Volunteer Fire Department.

According to a press release, 911 dispatchers received a call at roughly 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 18, for a report that a home at 220 Robertson was on fire. The caller, Marisha Stimpson, told the dispatcher that everyone residing at the house safely made it out.

Fire Chief Chris Kocher and Worland Police arrived within moments of the 911 call at 10:18 a.m. and where heavy smoke was venting from all four sides of the residence and visible flames escaping from a west side residence window, according to the release. Kocher verified with Stimpson that no one was in the home.

An investigation by Worland Police, Worland Fire and investigators with the State Fire Marshal Office determined the fire originated on the bed in the master bedroom and was caused by “human unintentional ignition.”

According to Worland Fire Department, there was no evidence of working smoke alarms in the house at the time of the fire.

Responding units included WVFD’s Engine 9, Ladder 1, Rescue 2 and two command units.

Engine 9 made it to the scene at 10:22 a.m. Its crew entered the residence and noted that a room, later determined to be a bedroom on the west side of the house, was fully involved.

The team was able to suppress the fire quickly; however, the bedroom had extensive fire damage. According to the Worland Fire Department, “There was extensive smoke, soot and heat damage throughout the remainder of the house.”

Crews were on-scene until 6:29 p.m. the evening of the fire.

Red Cross of Wyoming reported assisting one adult and three children affected by the house fire.

Last week’s fire came days after Worland Fire concluded a weeklong Fire Safety Education program at local schools.

The Worland Fire Department would like to remind Worland residents of the importance in starting fire safety education in t he home with family members and insuring there are working smoke and fire alarm detectors in the home,” fire department officials said in a release.

For those seeking guidance on acquiring and positioning of smoke and fire alarm devices, they can contact Worland Fire Department at 347-6379 and speak to fire personnel.