Close call at Castlerock Apartments as water line extinguishes fire

WENATCHEE — A malfunctioning bathroom exhaust fan caused a small fire and water damage early Dec. 22 at the Castlerock Apartments, but a larger fire was narrowly avoided when a burned-through water line extinguished the flames, according to the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched at 6:20 a.m. Dec. 22 to a commercial fire alarm in the 1400 block of Castlerock Street. While responding, units received reports that water was leaking from a second-floor apartment into a unit below.

Upon arrival, firefighters found no visible flames. Further investigation determined that a bathroom ceiling fan had failed and caught fire, dropping burning material onto a toilet lid and the bathroom floor. Before the fire could spread to other materials, the heat burned through the toilet’s water supply line, releasing water that extinguished the fire.

Fire crews checked the attic and surrounding areas for possible fire extension, but none was found.

The water supply to the affected unit was shut off, and property management is assessing water damage caused by the ruptured supply line. No injuries were reported, and the occupants of the apartment where the fire occurred were not home at the time of the incident.

Fire officials described the incident as a close call, noting that the automatic release of water prevented more extensive damage.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media