Local News

Brewster Police Investigating Apartment Fire

Brewster Police Department

Jul 14, 2017

On 07/12/17 at approx. 6:53p.m., the Brewster Fire Department was toned out to a brush fire at the Alta Vista Apartments in Brewster. This immediately turned into a structure fire with at least one building of the thirteen building complex involved. This building housed two apartment units. Brewster Police Officer Robbins and Douglas County Deputy Williams arrived and found the fire spreading through the shrubs lining the fence line on the south west corner of the complex. The fire quickly spread to a separate building that housed four apartment units. Officer Robbins and Deputy Williams started knocking on doors and advising residents of the fire and to evacuate their apartments.

Fire units from Brewster, Pateros, Methow, Bridgeport, Malott and Okanogan were toned to assist in fighting the fire. Omak Fire Department sent down their air bottle refilling station to assist.

Washing State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Brewster Police Department and Brewster Public Works blocked off area roadways for several hours while the fire was being suppressed. The fire was contained to just two buildings of the complex involving six resident units.

A Red Cross shelter was set up at the Brewster High School as approx. 26 people were displaced from the fire. Several of those people were housed at the temporary shelter.

Witnesses described the fire was started by someone burning a small pile of garbage near the little league concession stand which was also damaged in the fire. We are currently following leads at this time.

At this time the investigation is ongoing.