Family of Four Survives Fire; 100 Chicks Lost

A warming lamp for the chicks being placed too close to combustibles is most likely the cause of the fire.

Salem-News.com

(JEFFERSON, Ore. ) - A family of four are very, very lucky.

At 12:42 AM this morning, Pete DeJager noticed that a shed next to his renter's home located at 3052 Wintel Rd. west of Jefferson was fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was already melting the siding on their single wide mobile home as the family slept.

Mr. DeJager notified the family and they evacuated.

Jefferson Fire District firefighters from the Talbot Fire Station were on scene of the fire within minutes and were able to knock down the blaze.

The fire from the shed had spread to the outside of the house. The home suffered smoke damage and minimal water damage.

The residents of the home, Jose and Shelly Herrera and their two children, were displaced and spent the night elsewhere.

The shed contained a supply of building material and also chickens.

Approximately 100 chicks were destroyed in the fire.

According to Division Chief Troy Jurgens, a warming lamp for the chicks being placed too close to combustibles is most likely the cause of the fire.

The home and shed are insured.

The property content loss amount was not available.

Fifteen firefighters from Jefferson were on scene and there were no injuries reported.

The Jefferson Volunteer Firefighter Association made a contribution to the family from their burn-out fund.

American Red Cross was also contacted for assistance.