Having left home today, August 27, at about 9 a.m., a woman and her children returned to their house on Southern Cross Road in southeast Bainbridge at about 3 p.m. to the sound of smoke alarms and the sight of black smoke billowing out through cracks and eaves.
The homeowner, whose cell phone was uncharged, screamed for help, and a neighbor who happened to be driving by called 911. Fearing a huge blaze, the dispatcher called upon fire department responses from Poulsbo and North Kitsap to join Bainbridge Island firefighters. Ten units arrived at the large two-story home.
What they found proved to be a mystery. According to Assistant Fire Chief Luke Carpenter, although the house was full of dark smoke no flames were located, and a thermal imager located no source of heat. Poulsbo and North Kitsap units were sent on their way as Bainbridge firefighters continued to hunt for the source of the smoke.
Carpenter explained that the fact that the air conditioner had been on in the house for a few hours made finding the source more difficult, because it had circulated the smoke throughout the house via vents.
Firefighters investigated the furnace but were unable to determine conclusively if it was the smoke source, though they believe it to be. After a thorough investigation, the BIFD ruled at approximately 4:45 p.m. that the home was “cold,” or not in danger of burning. They recommended that the homeowner have her furnace checked and call in professionals who specialize in cleaning smoke-damaged homes.
A concerned neighbor told Inside Bainbridge she invited the family to have dinner and spend the night.
Photo by Sarah Lane.