Neighbors’ Help Fails To Save Man From Fire

A 24-year-old man died in a fire that engulfed his mobile home, despite the efforts of neighbors who used a garden hose to try to beat back the flames.

James Harrison Entler died of smoke inhalation, the Thurston County medical examiner’s office said.

Neighbors discovered the blaze early Saturday. They pounded on the door of the Black Lake home to try to rouse any residents inside, then sprayed water into the house with a garden hose, said Karen Jones, public education officer for the Black Lake Fire Department south of Olympia.

“They got a pretty effective knockdown on the fire, but there was still too much smoke and flame for them to enter,” Jones said.

Crews from four Thurston County fire districts responded.

Damage is estimated at $10,000 for the home and $3,000 for its contents.

Jones said it appears the fire was caused by a space heater with a spliced cord.