The owner of a home at 115 Clinmar in Centralia that was heavily damaged in a fire last week has provided more information on those living in the home at the time of the blaze.
While Centralia City Firemen say there was no one was around when they arrived on the scene, owner Paula Gepke says three persons she allowed to live in the home free of charge were inside when the fire was discovered by a neighbor. She gave the neighbor credit for banging on the doors and windows to alert them to the fire so they could get out. A fourth person who resided in the home was not there at the time. Gepke says she also lived at the residence. She emphasized the home was not a rental facility, but only a place she allowed some to stay free of charge.
Gepke says she has not been able to get into the home to determine if any of the furnishings can be saved. She notes a ceiling fell on her bed.
Centralia Firefighters asked the state fire marshal’s office to try and determine the cause of the fire that started at the back of the home and carport area.
Two other homes at 517 West Broadway and 119 Clinmar were damaged by radiant heat.
