Structures Burn in Timpey Road Fire

WAITSBURG – Four outbuildings were devoured by flames on Timpey Road, behind Lewis & Clark Trail State Park on Saturday afternoon. Homeowner Tim Baker said the sound of explosions and his wife's yells woke him from a peaceful nap at exactly 1:55 p.m.

About 30 minutes prior, Baker had been doing some grinding outside. As he worked on his first project, a spark flew and started a grass fire. Baker said he stomped it out and made a point to be extra diligent as he completed his second project.

He said he looked around a couple of times when he was done and everything looked fine. He assumes that the gusting winds must have fueled a stray spark once he had gone back into the house.

He awoke to an explosion as a five-gallon jug of gas exploded and found his small storage shed fully engulfed in flames. Baker said he and family members worked quickly to move vehicles away from the blaze. They tried to use a hose to douse the fire, but it was too far from the house and there wasn't enough water pressure.

The Bakers lost four buildings and their contents, including a large garage/shop/storage building, a barn, an open faced shed where they stored hay and machinery, and a small storage shed.

"Amazingly the wind stayed true out of the south so the heat was never blown toward the house," he said.

Columbia-Waitsburg Fire District No. 2 Assistant Chief Brian Callahan said the fire was a typical structure fire and was fully involved by the time crews arrived.

"At that point we take a defensive attack to protect the house and whatever else isn't on fire," he said.

While overwhelmed at the prospect of gathering insurance information and dealing with the massive cleanup, Baker was philosophical.

"The house, the family and the animals are all safe. That out there was just stuff. I have more blessings to be thankful for than I do sorrows," he said.