Serenity's restaurant, a local landmark in Trout Lake for many years, burned to the ground on the morning of Feb. 4.
As devastating as the loss was, a far greater tragedy was avoided -- thanks to Earl Kuhnhausen, a Klickitat County Highway Department employee who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Kuhnhausen, a Glenwood resident who goes on duty at 4 a.m., was driving a plow truck and sanding school bus routes on the Glenwood-BZ grade and around Trout Lake that morning. He was driving toward Trout Lake when he spotted flames at Serenity's, which is located at 2291 SR 141, just south of Trout Lake.
"I was headed north when I saw it. The wood at the top of the chimney was on fire, and it was pretty bright already," Kuhnhausen explained. "I called the Sheriff's Office on my county radio before I even got out of my rig."
The emergency call came at 4:34 a.m.
Kuhnhausen ran to the building and started pounding and yelling to alert anyone who might be inside.
Marcia Nordwall, Serenity's owner, resides in living quarters on the second floor above the restaurant, as does Ann Davis, a Serenity's business partner.
Nordwall said she was awakened by pounding.
"Someone was pounding heavily on the door," Nordwall recounted. "It sounded like he had a sledgehammer. I didn't know why he was pounding, I thought he was trying to break in."
"We couldn't understand why this man was screaming at us at four in the morning," added Davis. "We saw no flames, smelled nothing, and heard nothing."
Davis said at one point Kuhnhausen yelled, "your roof is ready to cave in!"
When Nordwall went to a different vantage point to look, she could see the flames. Nordwall and Davis quickly went down the stairs to get away from the building.
"We just walked out with our clothing. That was it. You're never prepared for that," Nordwall said.
"By the time they were out, it was to the point that I didn't think the Fire Department would be able to put it out," Kuhnhausen explained. "It was pretty dry wood and it took right off."
The Trout Lake Fire Department was on the scene within about 10 minutes, bit was unable to save the structure.
Davis said she believes Kuhnhausen saved their lives.
"If it had not been for that man, we would not be here. It was only God who put him in that position," Davis said.
"He gave us awareness. That was the gift," Nordwall added.
According to Nordwall, the building's smoke detectors came on, but well after Nordwall and Davis were awakened by Kuhnhausen's shouts and pounding.
The cause of the fire has still not been determined, and as of Monday, the structure was still smoldering.
"There are still hot spots. Think of two stories all coming down, and five feet of rubble," Nordwall said. "We're baffled as to the cause so far, and can't make any speculation at this time."
The restaurant and living quarters were a total loss, but the rental cabins on the property were not damaged.
"The lodging was totally unaffected, and we're still in business," Nordwall explained. "We have a makeshift office in one of the cabins."
Nordwall, who opened the business in 1989, added that it was too soon to say whether she would rebuild the restaurant, but offered an optimistic view.
"I'm just trying to sort things out and handle the immediate challenges. My intention is for rebuilding, but I can't say with certainty," Nordwall said. "The message to the community is, take heart. It's a grieving process for us and for the community. My thought is, this too shall pass. I'm determined to see a good conclusion."
Both Nordwall and Davis praised the efforts of the fire department, and thanked the community for its strong support.
"I was totally impressed with the Trout Lake Fire Department -- very professional and efficient," said Nordwall. "The community has just been truly uplifting, providing meals and clothing and emotional support. And I'm extremely grateful to my church family, and Pastor Jean Erb at Bethel Congregational. My biggest asset is my faith and my church family."
"I have never seen a community like this one. People are so gracious and kind and helpful in every way possible," Davis added. "We can never thank them all enough."
Kuhnhausen, who has worked for the county for about eight years and also serves as a volunteer firefighter in Glenwood, said what he did was just a natural response.
"You don't go past something like that," he said. "People need to take care of their neighbors."
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