Evacuations lifted as crews contain Lakewood brush fire

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Crews were battling a three-alarm brush fire that flared up in Lakewood Wednesday afternoon. 

The fire burned about 10 acres and did not damage any structures. Crews were able to get it contained in about two hours.

Officials say two firefighters suffered minor heat-related injuries, but no one else was injured in the fire.

West Pierce Fire and Rescue (WPFR) first announced they were fighting a two-alarm fire at Fort Steilacoom Park at around 1:39 p.m. Around 18 minutes later, crews upgraded the fire to three-alarms. 

West Pierce Fire and Rescue 

Officials initially ordered sweeping evacuations around Fort Steilacoom, but lifted them before 5 p.m. Authorities opened Claudia Thomas Middle School for evacuees.

"It was a pretty big fire. So, I got my dogs ready to go, and we were getting ready to leave, and a fire officer came over and said, ‘you guys got to go now,’" said Catherine Franzen.

Franzen says the flames burned just feet from her home. She says she had to evacuate so quickly that she was forced to leave priceless possession behind. 

 "My husband just recently passed. So, I was trying to go back and get his urn, and they wouldn’t even let me go in and get it. I said, ‘It’s right by the front door. It’s going to be really quick." They said, ’I don’t care, you got to go,'" said Franzen.

She says because of roadblocks, she couldn’t even take her car. She was forced to evacuate on foot. Thankfully, she was able to grab her two dogs and stay with family while crews worked the fire.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources used water from Waughop Lake to fly overhead and help put the fire out. 

It's unclear what caused the fire. 

This is a developing story.