The 70-year-old woman who died in the Victoria Loop fire in Ocean Shores Oct. 7 has been identified as Mary Ann Backlin, and the Grays Harbor Coroner said the death was an accident.

An autopsy was performed on the day after the fire and the cause of death was found to be asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide intoxication, said Lane Youmans, Grays Harbor Coroner.

A Fire Department report on the fire said the initial response was to a call of an explosion with multiple houses involved.

At the time, two Fire Department crews were taking aid patients to Grays Harbor Community Hospital, and the department initially had to respond with only one firefighter who was then supported by Police, a Sheriff’s deputy, the State Patrol and Fire District No. 7.

Backlin was found inside what was called a shed structure after the fire was extinguished, and investigators were told that is where she slept.

Mayor Crystal Dingler called for a moment of silence for Backlin at the beginning of the Oct. 9 City Council meeting: “We lost a citizen of Ocean Shores to fire. She was a friend to many, and a neighbor of many.”

Neighbors said Backlin had gone clam digging the night before the fire.

State Patrol emphasis

State Patrol troopers will conduct a statewide “Slow Down, Move Over” emphasis from Oct. 18 through October 20. The purpose is to help both troopers and citizens get home safe by bringing awareness to the “Move Over Law.”

In the last two years, 62 patrol cars have been hit and 24 troopers injured, according to a State Patrol news release. The “Move Over Law” requires that vehicles approaching an emergency zone should proceed with due caution, slow down, and if safe move over, or change lanes.

An emergency vehicle includes, police, fire, medical, tow trucks, and vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights. If there are two lanes going in the same direction, move completely into the left lane.

The penalty is $214 and cannot be waived or reduced.

“The inclement weather season is about to start and is when we see a rise in the number of patrol cars hit. The Washington State Patrol would like to remind drivers to slow down and move over when they see emergency lights. It’s safe and it’s the law.”

Ocean Shores Police calls

Oct. 3

• Two-vehicle accident on Pt. Brown Ave. NE at Damon Rd. NE at 4:03 p.m.

Oct. 4

• Camping/RV violation on the beach at W. Chance a la Mer approach at 4:21 a.m.

• Assault in the 200 block of E. Rain St. NE at 7:02 a.m.

• Camping/RV violation in the 400 block of Duck Lake Dr. NE at 9:59 a.m.

• Code violation in the 600 block of Woodland Loop NE at 1:40 p.m.

• Wildlife problem/beaver on the side of the road on Octopus Ave. NE at Piranha St. NE at 2:36 p.m.

• Disorderly conduct at 9:03 p.m. in the 900 block of Wawona Ave. SE.

• Disorderly conduct at 10:55 p.m. in the 500 block of Quinault Ave. SE.

Oct. 5

• Assist Fire Department with possible illegal fire in the 100 block of Galleon Loop NE at 6:20 a.m.

• Investigation into counterfeit money being used to purchase items from local Ocean Shores merchant at 11:04 a.m. in the 100 block of W. Chance a la Mer NW.

• Warrant arrest at 5:40 p.m. in the 500 block of Inlet Ave.

• Disorderly conduct in the 600 block of Ocean Shores Blvd. NW at 10:57 p.m.

Oct. 6

• Code enforcement violation/illegal dumping in the 600 block of Ocean Shores Blvd. NW at 8:14 a.m.

• RV/Camping violation in the 600 block of Chenois Ave. NE at 10:17 a.m.

• Theft from vehicle (a fifth-wheel trailer) at 7:54 p.m. in the 1000 block of Cedar Crest Ct. SW.

Oct. 7

• Camping permit violation in the 1200 block of Cutlass Ct. at 12:47 p.m. and camping/RV violation in the 400 block of Starfire Ct. SW at 12:52 p.m.

• Code violation in the 100 block of S. Razor Clam Dr. SW at 3:58 p.m.

• Rollover accident on the beach/driver cited for reckless driving near the Taurus approach at 4:28 p.m.

• Trespassing in the 500 block of Chenois Ave. NE at 5:13 p.m.

• Malicious mischief (juveniles damaging golf course) in the 500 block of Canal Dr. NE at 5:18 p.m.

• Warrant arrest at 8:41 p.m. in the 200 block of Canal Dr. SE

Oct. 8

• Arrest of suspect in burglary and assault in the 600 block of Pt. Brown Ave. NW at 2:12 a.m.

• Wildlife problem/bears in yard in the 1000 block of Sanders Ct. SW at 2:57 a.m.

• Burglary report in hotel room in the 800 block of Ocean Shores Blvd. NW at 8:37 a.m.

• Theft reported in the 1000 block of Fairwood Dr. SW at 10:45 a.m.

• Illegal burning/fire too close to dunes on the beach south of Marine View Dr. at 7:03 p.m.

• Illegal fire at 7:10 p.m. in the 300 block of Mizzen Ave. NW.

Grays Harbor Sheriff’s log

Oct. 5

• Vehicle in the ditch, non-injury accident at milepost 31 of State Route 109 in Moclips at 6:25 a.m.

• Malicious mischief on Chickamin Ave. in Ocean City at 8:35 a.m.

• Domestic violence/court order violation in the 100 block of Robin Lane in Pacific Beach at 7:56 p.m.

Oct. 6

• Court order violation in the 2700 block of SR 109 in Ocean City at 9:45 a.m.

• Disabled vehicle in the middle of the Humptulips River at 4 p.m. in the 400 block of Kirkpatrick Rd. in Copalis Crossing.

• Theft of trailer from property in the 1000 block of Kirkpatrick Rd. in Copalis Crossing at 5:53 p.m.

• Assist in medic response to subject vomiting after eating marijuana edibles in the 4000 block of Railroad Ave. in Moclips at 11:26 p.m.

Oct. 7

• Vehicle prowl, window damaged at the Ocean City beach approach at 8:48 p.m.

• Assist State Parks with response to a domestic dispute at the Ocean City State Park at 9:51 p.m.

• Vehicle prowl on the Ocean City beach approach at 9:49 p.m.

Oct. 8

• Burglary report in the 600 block of Pt. Brown Ave. NW in Ocean Shores at 1:30 a.m.

Oct. 9

• Domestic violence assault at 4:54 a.m. in 4th St. in Moclips.

• Theft of generator from RV in the parking lot of the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, reported at 8:13 a.m.