Ridgefield house fire: 23 year old died from smoke inhalation

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The Clark County Medical Examiners Office reported earlier today, Aug. 13, that Stefany Cutler-Ffitch died from smoke inhalation, the result of a house fire in Ridgefield last week. The examiners' office also determined her death to be an accident. 

According to Clark County Fire & Rescue Chief John Nohr, around 3:50 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8 crews responded to the house at 29305 NW 41st Ave.

The first crew to arrive found the house fully engulfed in flames and a man limping away from the house after jumping from the second story to avoid the fire. He was transported to the hospital with a broken leg after telling crews that his girlfriend, now determined to be Cutler-Ffitch, was still inside.

Crews worked quickly to rescue her. They used a tall ladder to access a top story window and climbed inside. They were unable to locate Cutler-Ffitch and found that the floor had burned through.



Meanwhile, crews found someone else near the house who had also jumped from the second floor but was uninjured.

Cutler-Ffitch was found, deceased, around 3 p.m. later that day and was transported to the medical examiner's office.

Joining CCF&R on-scene was Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 6 and Cowlitz Fire District 1. Clark County Public Works brought out a excavator to clear debris.  

The cause of the fire is still unknown.