Gresham Woman Dies in Early Morning Fire

Investigators say a space heater was placed too close to combustible materials.

Salem-News.com

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - Firefighters in Gresham found a woman dead this morning as a result of a house fire in a single family residence at 531 NE 183rd Avenue. A spokesperson for Gresham Fire says they responded to a fire in a one story residence at 3:00 AM this morning, and found a 39-year old female victim in a front bedroom.

Additional casualties included three dogs and one cat. They say that pending the Medical Examiner's report, the victim appeared to have succumbed to smoke inhalation as was true of the animals.

Fire investigators have determined that the fire started in the living room where a space heater had been placed up against combustibles. The victim's furnace wasn't working and the recent cold temperatures necessitated her use of area heaters.

Citizens need to be reminded how important fire safety precautions are at any time of the year, but especially when temperatures drop and mechanical systems stop working.