Bonney Lake, Washington – One Dead After Home Fire

Bonney Lake, Washington (March 18, 2019) – A woman was found dead in a mobile home that was on fire at 20800 block of 91st Street East. She was found dead on the bedroom floor by the firefighter crew which entered the structure. According to the Pierce County Medical Examiner, the cause of her death appeared to be carbon monoxide poisoning.

Crews responded to the fire at a double-wide mobile home around 10:45 pm. Smoke and flames were already coming from the mobile home when they arrived. The firefighter crews had entered the home to extinguish the blaze when they found the victim. The death has been ruled as accidental, and investigation is ongoing as to the cause of fire.

About Fire

There are many dangers present in fire, and studies have pointed to the structure of the mobile home as some of the most dangerous in a fire. Mobile homes are often considered manufactured housing, which is defined as any home constructed in a manufacturing plant and transport-able in one or two sections. Their economical state and availability makes them attractive to many buyers across America. In the state of Washington, mobile homes compose around 7.5% of housing, which is a fairly small number. However, the U.S. Fire Administration has stated that the fatality rate in mobile homes are doubled compared to regular, on-site houses. Homeowners are advised to consider fire safety at all times, and firefighters are instructed to be wary of tackling a mobile home fire. Beyond the damage and loss inflicted on property, the threat of injuries and death should make everyone living in these homes to follow safety regulations.

Aside from burns, another threat from fires that was present in this incident is carbon-monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide comes from burning fuel such as gasoline, wood, propane, and charcoal. However, because it is a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas it can be difficult to be aware of its presence without a proper detector. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous inside structures, where it can build up quickly in the body. Symptoms can be described as flu-like, with headaches and nausea. Victims may possibly pass out and die when the gas disrupts red blood cells. To prevent these types of cases, always be aware of the surroundings especially when using equipment which produces carbon monoxide.

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