The three are in stable condition after an explosion during a house fire on Whidbey Island that destroyed two homes

By Joseph O’Sullivan
The Seattle Times

GREENBANK, Wash. — An explosion Wednesday during a house fire on Whidbey Island injured three firefighters, potentially hurt two civilians and destroyed two homes, according to officials.

A 911 caller reported a fire around 2:45 p.m., in the unincorporated community of Greenbank, at a house near Lagoon Point on Smuggler’s Cove Road, according to Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue.

| MORE: The most critical command function: Controlling yourself

Shortly after arriving, the responders — two chiefs and one firefighter — were injured during the explosion.

The fire and explosion completely destroyed that house, as well as a neighboring home. Meanwhile, a third house took damage from the blast.

The three firefighters are in stable condition and are not yet being identified, but are part of South Whidbey Fire/EMS and Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, according to the Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue news release.

Two were taken to Providence Regional Medical Center for blast injuries, with the third going to Island Hospital.

The two civilians who may have been hurt took themselves to medical facilities before emergency responders could evaluate them, officials said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the explosion, according to the release, along with the Region 3 Arson Task Force.

As Lineage’s massive Boyle Heights cold storage facility continues burning, officials and experts are raising concerns about warehouse fire hazards

The new Spartan engine features 600 feet of 2½-inch static load housed in a low hosebed

June 25, 2026 03:44 PM

 · 

Albuquerque Engine 5 video highlights fireground priorities, including rapid offensive operations, strategic hoseline deployment and integrating primary search with fire attack

June 24, 2026 04:59 PM

 · 

A massive blaze at the Allentown riverfront factory spread to nearby homes, forced evacuations, prompted a shelter-in-place order and knocked out power to thousands

© 2026 The Seattle Times.
Visit www.seattletimes.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The department’s transition to Pierce custom chassis pumpers reflects a commitment to firefighter safety, operational efficiency and apparatus built specifically for urban fire service demands