Family Alerted of House Fire By Passerby

A woman observed the fire and pounded on the door alerting the residents. Everyone got out safely.

Photos courtesy: Wanda Omdahl, Albany Fire Public Information Officer

(ALBANY, OR) - Monday at 2:07 p.m. the Albany Fire Department was called to a house fire at 2887 SE Grand Prairie Road. Arriving vehicles saw smoke coming from the house.

The fire went to a second alarm about 3:00 p.m. Corvallis Fire, Lebanon Fire and Tangent Fire came to the scene while Jefferson Fire covered the city.

At the time of the fire Spencer Kernats and his daughter Brooklyn 2 Â1/2 were in the house along with their dog Gabby and their cat Mama.

Andrea & Mark Ylen were the first at the scene after seeing the fire from across the bridge.

Andrea pounded on the door alerting the residents of the fire.

Everyone got out safely.

Robert Kernats the homeowner, was at work at the time the fire started.

The estimated value of the house is $175,000 with the estimated loss of $125,000. The estimated value of the contents was $40,000 with the estimated loss being $20,000.

There were no injuries.

Brooklyn's mom Jessica Greenup said they had just finished most of their Christmas Shopping. The family was insured and each had places to stay.

There will be a crew watching the property throughout the night. Thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that crew will be warm tonight as they very kindly opened their doors to Albany Fire Department today!

Source: Albany Fire