Just before midnight on May 3, 911 dispatchers received a call regarding a garage and house on fire, located on South Whitney Drive in Newberg. Firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) and Dundee Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters from Newberg Fire Station #20 arrived first on scene to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the garage with smoke rapidly spreading throughout the living area of the house. Crews began an aggressive fire attack and performed a search of the house to ensure all occupants had evacuated. The fire was extinguished within twenty minutes of their arrival. 

Working smoke alarms saved the lives of the five people in the house. They were alerted of the fire by the alarms sounding and quickly exited the home. Three of the occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital. They also owned two pet cats. Unfortunately, one cat was found deceased as a result of the fire. The second cat was taken to a veterinary hospital for further evaluation. 

The occupants of the home are temporarily displaced due to the fire and smoke damage throughout the house. They have declined assistance from Red Cross and are opting to stay with friends or family.

A TVF&R fire investigator was called out to the scene and has determined that the fire started in the garage. Cause of what ignited the fire is still under investigation.

For more information about smoke alarms and escape planning, visit https://www.tvfr.com/145/Smoke-Alarms-Escape-Planning