At 6:47pm Friday evening firefighters were called to a report of a structure fire at 1420 SW Schaeffer Road in West Linn. On arrival, crews found a large barn fully engulfed in fire. The barn was approximately 70x40 feet and located only 15 feet from a residential home. Due to the amount of fire, firefighters began an exterior attack of the barn, while simultaneously focusing their attention on the adjacent home. Complicating fire attack efforts were extremely strong winds, as well as a lack of nearby water hydrants. Crews quickly set up a water shuttle operation, using several water tenders to bring water to the scene from other locations. A report of ammunition located in the barn also presented a challenge to fire operations.

The large volume of fire eventually caused the roof of the barn to collapse, which was a total loss. During this time, crews continued to monitor the barn, putting out accessible hot spots, while successfully ensuring flames did not reach the adjacent home.

Five people were at the home during the time of the incident with no injuries reported.

Approximately 40 firefighters responded to the 2-alarm incident including crews from Lake Oswego Fire.

While a TVF&R investigator deemed the cause of the fire to be undetermined, a possible cause was a wood-fired smokehouse that was being used for curing meats.