Two homes on Vashon and Maury islands were damaged by accidental fires last week, with one sustaining substantial damage and the other minor damage. No one was injured in either fire.

Vashon Island Fire &Rescue responded to the first house fire in Sandy Shores at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25. One member of the department, Brett Kranjcevich, was on the scene first, as he lives in the area and drove a fire engine from the Dockton Fire Station to the home. He arrived within five minutes of the call and began to extinguish the flames himself, according to Vashon Island Fire &Rescue Assistant Chief Bob Larsen. Additional firefighters arrived six minutes after he did and focused on putting out hot spots and searching the home for people and potential spread of the fire. Ten firefighters responded, Larsen noted, as well as support staff and emergency medical personnel.

The home is not currently habitable, as the inside has smoke and water damage and the exterior has substantial damage, he added. He credited Kranjcevich with preventing a much more serious situation.

“The rapid response he provided was instrumental in saving the house and surrounding properties,” he said.

The fire started outside, and was deemed accidental, but fire investigators have not released the cause.

The home’s renters were moving out the day of the fire, Larsen said, with new renters set to move in on Aug. 1.

The next day, the fire department was called to a home on Pillsbury Road at about 11 a.m. An accidental fire started on the home’s deck and caused minor damage to the home’s exterior and a nearby fence. Quick-acting neighbors reportedly called the fire department and put out the fire before firefighters arrived.

— Susan Riemer