A restroom fire and the little extinguisher that could

— from Kim Kimple for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue —

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue was dispatched on Thursday, August 15 to a small fire located in a local public restroom. The fire appeared to have been started by someone igniting a piece of toilet paper located in a plastic dispenser. A person in the area immediately jumped to action, locating a fire extinguisher and attacking the flames. Thanks to the ready location of a fire extinguisher and the quick work of an individual nearby, the flames were knocked down before extensive damage was done to the building.

Orcas units arrived on scene to find heavy smoke and low visibility in the building and completed the work of extinguishing the dispenser and contents while monitoring for fire extension throughout the building.

San Juan County Fire Marshal R.J. Myers commented, “It’s interventions such as this that show the importance of having extinguishers nearby, both in our homes and businesses. Quick thinking allowed the fire extinguisher to do its job and putting that fire out before it had a chance to grow definitely preserved a lot of property on site.” 

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue offers Fire Extinguisher Servicing through Alpine Fire and Safety Systems. Bring your fire extinguisher, marked with your name and phone number, to the front desk from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Alpine Fire and Safety Systems visits on the 2^nd Thursday of each month to inspect, service and provide extinguisher maintenance and will bill customers direct.

If you or your organization are interested in completing fire extinguisher training, contact Orcas Island Fire and Rescue at (360) 376-2331.