July 5, 2002 * 02-47-01

(East of POULSBO, Washington) -- A vacant cottage was destroyed here last evening in a blaze that firefighters believe was sparked by fireworks.

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue and Poulsbo Fire Department crews were called to the Tree Ridge Lane & Port Gamble-Suquamish Road location just before midnight on July 4th after several passersby reported the 400 square-foot structure to be fully-involved in fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find flames shooting from the wood frame building and igniting overhanging trees. The roof was already burned away and the structure was destroyed, but crews were able to quickly douse the flames and successfully prevent the fire from spreading into the surrounding forest.

The property owner told crews that, although vacant for years, the little building once served as quarters for the teacher at a nearby schoolhouse that had since been converted into a private home.

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal's Office investigated the blaze. Several bystanders reported seeing a group of kids igniting fireworks in the immediate vicinity earlier, and firefighters found several spend bottle rockets and roman candles. This information, combined with the fact that the cottage's electrical supply was disconnected long ago, led investigators to list fireworks as the probable cause of last night's destructive fire.