Early this morning, firefighters from multiple agencies were simultaneously dispatched to two working house fires within Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s service area. The first fire occurred in Newberg at 5:20 a.m. and the second fire was called in approximately ten minutes later in the Quatama area of unincorporated Washington County.
Sheridan Street Newberg House Fire:
WCCCA 911 call takers received a report of a fire at a house on Sheridan Street and immediately dispatched TVF&R firefighters to the scene. A Newberg-Dundee Police Officer arrived within minutes to find visible flames inside the home prompting an upgrade to a first alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. The police officer worked quickly to confirm all occupants had evacuated the home. First-incoming firefighters arrived shortly after to find heavy flames throughout the interior of the home and garage. They performed aggressive fire attack measures to gain control of the flames within 15 minutes of their arrival. Dundee Fire Department assisted with mop up and overhaul tasks. Three residents and their pet cat will be displaced due to the extensive fire and smoke damage to the home. Red Cross will be assisting them with temporary housing and other essential needs. Cause of the fire is unknown and currently under investigation.
Sedona Lane Washington County House Fire:
While WCCCA 911 dispatchers were assisting with the Newberg house fire, they received a call regarding a fire in a multi-story townhouse on Sedona Lane in the Quatama area of unincorporated Washington County. Two occupants in the townhouse heard their smoke alarms sounding but were trapped upstairs, due to thick smoke making its way to their room. They ended up jumping out an upper level window to escape. Deputies from Washington County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrived on scene and began evacuating adjoining units as a precaution. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue arrived first on scene and determined the fire was on the second floor of the residence. They quickly worked to extinguish the fire while additional incoming units provided medical aid to the two occupants who sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of jumping out the upper level window. Both patients were taken to the hospital by Metro West Ambulance. A neighbor located and retrieved their pet cat, who had escaped safely and was not injured. The two occupants and cat are displaced due to the fire and smoke damage sustained in their townhouse. Firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to the one townhome, preventing spread to adjacent units. Cause of this fire is also unknown and currently under investigation.
TVF&R and its partner agencies want to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms and family fire escape planning, ensuring everyone in the home always knows two ways out. Residents who live in multi-level homes may want to consider investing in a compact, mobile fire escape ladder. For more information about smoke alarms and fire escape planning, visit https://www.tvfr.com/145/Smoke-Alarms-Escape-Planning.
TVF&R appreciates the assistance provided by the following agencies on both fires: Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (911 dispatch), Newberg-Dundee Police Department, Dundee Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Metro West Ambulance, Red Cross Cascades Region and Portland General Electric.
Additional footage:
Sheridan St Video 1 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/3xsmclec55v8t02/IMG_0612.MOV?dl=0
Sheridan St Video 2 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/g20x11wrzgumkgj/IMG_0613.MOV?dl=0
Sheridan St Video 3 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gram9hrl5bdn0f/IMG_0615.MOV?dl=0
TVF&R approves the use of all images and videos included with this release for the purpose of news dissemination.