John Tatarak was presented with a Life Safety Certificate from Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety for his actions during a fire Dec. 10 at the Wilderness Village Laundromat.

The 56-year-old Tatarak said he had come into the laundromat to do his laundry because his washing machine broke.

“I smelled something like burnt wool, but I couldn’t see any smoke,” Tatarak said. “I started to walk out to my car and the dryer door panel blew off.”

Tatarak said the laundromat quickly filled with smoke. He went to a nearby business and grabbed a fire extinguisher to fight the fire. He grabbed a second extinguisher as the fire department arrived.

Interim Fire Chief Brad Doerflinger and Deputy Chief Larry Rude said at the Jan. 21 board of commissioners meeting Tatarak’s quick action saved the laundromat and adjoining businesses from serious damage.

John Tatarak was presented with a Life Safety Certificate from Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety for his actions during a fire Dec. 10 at the Wilderness Village Laundromat.

The 56-year-old Tatarak said he had come into the laundromat to do his laundry because his washing machine broke.

“I smelled something like burnt wool, but I couldn’t see any smoke,” Tatarak said. “I started to walk out to my car and the dryer door panel blew off.”

Tatarak said the laundromat quickly filled with smoke. He went to a nearby business and grabbed a fire extinguisher to fight the fire. He grabbed a second extinguisher as the fire department arrived.

Interim Fire Chief Brad Doerflinger and Deputy Chief Larry Rude said at the Jan. 21 board of commissioners meeting Tatarak’s quick action saved the laundromat and adjoining businesses from serious damage.