Updated Release - Fire Investigation Results 2/10/2017:

TVF&R fire investigators have completed their investigation of a fire that took place Tuesday, February 7 in the 1500 block of SW Paradise Drive in Newberg. Based on material evidence and burn patterns, fire investigators determined that an unattended portable cooking appliance in an upstairs bathroom caused the fire. 

During firefighting efforts, the body of a deceased adult female was recovered from the second story. Newberg-Dundee Police Department conducted an investigation. (See inserted press release below regarding Newberg-Dundee Police Department’s findings.)  

Dundee Fire & Rescue assisted TVF&R with firefighting efforts.


Newberg-Dundee Police Department Press Release - Death Investigation Results 2/9/2017:

On February 7, 2017 at approximately 9:57 am TVF&R responded to a 911 report of smoke coming from a two story residence at 1508 Paradise Drive in Newberg.  

Firefighters arrived and found smoke and flames coming from the second story. They began firefighting efforts to mitigate the smoke and flames. During these efforts firefighters located a deceased female inside the residence. After extinguishing the fire, members of TVF&R contacted the Newberg-Dundee Police Department to investigate the female’s death.

The deceased female was the owner of the home. She has been identified as 63 year old Kathryn Sigler. As part of this investigation a detective from NDPD, who is cross trained as a deputy medical examiner, was called to investigate the death. It was determined that Ms. Sigler had been deceased prior to the fire.  This was determined by several factors to include the condition of the body.

Detectives believe there was no foul play in this case and that Ms. Sigler died of natural causes. The deputy medical examiner works in concert with the Medical Examiner for Yamhill County, District Attorney’s Office and the Oregon State Medical Examiner in any death investigation.  

In this case fire investigators from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue also assisted with determining the cause and origin of the fire. It is believed that an unattended portable cooking appliance upstairs caused the fire.  

Ms. Sigler’s dog suffered some smoke inhalation but did survive. The dog was taken to a local veterinarian for care. There were no other victims in the fire.

Jeff Kosmicki, Captain 
Newberg-Dundee Police Department
503-537-1246


Original Press Release 2/7/2017: 

At 9:57 a.m. this morning, a caller to 9-1-1 reported smoke coming from a two-story home in the 1500 block of SW Paradise Drive in Newberg. The caller knocked on the door several times, but no one answered.

Firefighters from nearby Station 20 arrived in less than three minutes to find smoke and flames coming from the second story. They quickly initiated a search and began firefighting efforts, which were hampered by a significant amount of debris and clutter in the home.

Firefighters recovered an adult female from the second story who was unresponsive. A dog escaped the fire.

TVF&R fire investigators are working to determine where and how the fire started. Detectives from Newberg-Dundee Police department are also investigating the incident. Dundee Fire & Rescue assisted TVF&R with firefighting efforts.

More information will be released as available.