Firefighters shortstop nascent structure fire in Westport

Oct. 3—Firefighters from the South Beach Regional Fire Authority responded to a late-morning fire in a Westport neighborhood on Thursday morning.

The neighbors called 911 after seeing evidence of a fire from the porch of a vacant residence, said department spokesperson Coleena Curry.

"We were toned out at 9:37 a.m.," Curry said in an interview. "Smoke and flames were seen from the porch."

Seven firefighters from the department responded to the fire, Curry said, which shut down traffic on South Forrest Street with assistance from the Westport Police Department.

"They made entrance into the house and put out any flames — I think they're more hotspots," Curry said. "There's some damage done."

The house is being renovated by the owners, who were not present at the time but have been notified, Curry said. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians, Curry said.

The road was reopened shortly after 11 a.m., and firefighters handed the scene over to the Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office, who is investigating the fire, Curry said. The cause is unknown, Curry said. The fire began in the area of the front door or front porch. It's unknown if the fire is criminal in nature, Curry said.

"Thankfully the neighbors saw something and called it in," Curry said. "Always call in if you see something suspicious."