Burned house demolished, hauled off in just two days

A Woodinville contractor made fast work mid-month of demolishing a La Conner home gutted in a June fire.

Greater Seattle Construction needed just two days, Aug.14-15, to knock down a North Fifth Street house destroyed in a June 19 blaze that sent plumes of black smoke wafting over town and produced noxious fumes that lingered in the neighborhood for weeks.

Nearby residents, some of whom said their houses sustained smoke damage and others impacted by the foul-smelling air, lobbied town officials to expedite the demolition permit process.

That was done. Once insurance claims were finalized, Greater Seattle Construction was ­summoned.

"They specialize in this kind of work," Public Works Director Brian Lease said. "This is what they do and they have specific standards they have to meet."

The town required the demolition team to complete all their work on-site, install safety fencing, address soil and sediment issues, provide dust and debris mitigation and properly dispose of the charred material.

"Everything had to stay on the property," Lease said. "All the work had to be done there and not in the right-of-way."

The company also had to agree to an on-site pre-project meeting with town officials.

"They complied with all the conditions," Lease said. "They also tested for lead paint."

Several neighbors and those who witnessed the La Conner Fire Department, Skagit County Fire District 13 and McLean Road Fire Department battle the inferno said burnt vinyl siding contributed to poor air quality that hovered in the area.

Lease said he couldn't comment on the effects of fire-­damaged vinyl siding.

As for the demolition work itself, he said the process went smoothly.

"Everything was straightforward," he said. "It was pretty much cut-and-dried."

The house was consumed by what La Conner Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra has called an accidental fire that occurred around 4 p.m. on June 19. Residents of the home were safely outside upon the arrival of Reinstra, who was first on the scene, and other responding firefighters.

Homeowner Tony Mitchell, who had been working in the garage, suffered minor burns. He and his wife, Jane Mitchell, immediately received offers of emergency housing in the area.

The Mitchells are known for their commitments to public service and health care.