Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor.

Town Streets and Parks Supervisor Justin Nibler was recognized by District 3 Fire Chief Noel Monin at a recent Town Council meeting for taking quick action to extinguish a hotel fire.

“That fire had real potential to do significant damage to that building had it gone unchecked,” said Monin.

Early morning on July 3, Nibler and Streets crew member Amer Melic spotted smoke and flames on a second-story balcony at the Friday Harbor Suites. While Melic called 911, Nibler scaled the building and found the fire had spread from a planter to the chairs and railing. “The flames were reaching over 6 feet,” said Nibler. With no access to water, he suffocated the fire with dirt from deck pots.

“When the community steps up and watches out for each other and takes initiative to care for each other, it makes a big difference,” said Monin. He thanked Nibler and the Town staff, in particular the Streets and Water Department crews, for stepping up whenever there’s been a fire in town. Monin and Battalion Chief Mike Hartzell presented Nibler with a water can extinguisher as a token of the department’s appreciation.