Firefighters battling flames at Edmonds home-based biodeisel operation

EDMONDS – Crews were battling a stubborn three-alarm blaze in an Edmonds home where bio-diesel apparently was being produced.

Crews were called just noon to a home in the 9500 block of Forrest Dell Drive, Edmonds Fire Chief Tom Tomberg said.

The house was fully involved when firefighters arrived and the family had made it safely outside.

Although crews at first went inside the home to battle the blaze, they quickly had to exit as flames took hold.

Two hours later, crews were still trying to douse flare ups, Lynnwood Fire Department spokeswoman Marybeth O’Leary said.

“We’re in a defensive mode,” she said. “When it gets into the roof, it’s really hard to get in and stop it.”

Dozens of emergency trucks clogged the neighborhood. Teams from Edmonds, Lynnwood and Fire District 1 helped fight the fire.

Three 55-gallon drums of bio-diesel were in the garage.

The Department of Ecology and a hazardous materials crew were called due to a greenish substance that was spilling down the street from the home.

Storm drains were covered and sandbags were being used to keep the materials from causing environmental damage.

It’s unclear what sparked the blaze or if the bio-diesel production played a role.

The Snohomish County Red Cross responded and was helping the family find a place to stay.

Local businesses donated pizza and sandwiches to feed weary fire crews.