Around 10:30a.m. on October 2, 2019, several callers to 9-1-1 reported a suspected fire and alarms sounding in the Bridge Creek Apartments complex located in the 29000 block of SW Rose Lane in Wilsonville. Firefighters from Station 52 arrived within seven minutes of being dispatched. They observed dark smoke coming from the eves of a third-story apartment with fire burning through the roof.

As firefighters made their way into the apartment, they were met with intense heat and thick smoke from floor to ceiling. They began to put the fire out and searched to confirm that no one was inside. Additional firefighters evacuated neighboring tenants and began spraying water on the fire from the outside. Based on the possibility that the fire could have quickly consumed more than one of the 18 apartments in the building, the incident commander called a second alarm to bring more resources to the scene. 

Despite a shared attic space above several apartments, firefighters’ aggressive and quick action contained the fire to one unit and a portion of the attic. The apartment where the fire occurred is considered a complete loss and the two residents will be displaced until the structure is rebuilt. Their pet cat was found and is being evaluated by a veterinarian.

Another two apartments were impacted by smoke or water damage. Power has been shut down to a total of six apartments. Not including the tenants of the “fire unit”, ten adults and two children will be displaced until power is restored and the building is deemed safe. The American Red Cross will be supporting many of those affected. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire investigators will conduct witness interviews, examine burn patterns and collect any material evidence to determine where and how the fire started. 

The apartment had working smoke alarms but did not have a fire sprinkler system. When a fire sprinkler system is present, the likelihood of injuries and costly damage is dramatically reduced.