The Enumclaw Patch reports due to local volunteer firemens’ inability to respond to fires more quickly from their own homes, the King County Fire District bought a modular home for sleeping quarters to better staff the Cumberland Fire Station. Many of the former volunteers have retired or moved from this town just southeast of Seattle, Washington, leaving the fire station unstaffed. The modular home had belonged to a county commissioner’s relatives, which initially raised eyebrows about possible conflict of interest, and led to questions about alternatives including site-built and new modular. In the end the modular house the district bought for $85,000 cost $307,000 for permits, and to move, install, and hook-up the new quarters.

(Photo credit: EnumclawPatch)