Fire in Former Industrial Building in Downtown Albany Sends 6 Firefighters to the Hospital

Salem-News.com

(ALBANY) - Albany street lights went dark for three hours Saturday night as fire crews from six area fire agencies fought a structure fire in an industrial building at the former Inland Quick Freeze plant on Water Avenue near Madison Street in downtown Albany.

Six Albany firefighters were transported to Samaritan Albany General Hospital to be checked as a result of firefighting efforts, according to Marilyn Smith with Albany Fire.

Crews from Lebanon, Tangent, Corvallis, Scio, and Jefferson assisted Albany firefighters. High rise ladder trucks and other specialized equipment was employed to bring the blaze under control.

Dozens of people gathered to watch the fire, which reflected against the sky and sent a huge tower of smoke into an otherwise clear night. Oregon State Police troopers assisted Albany officers in keeping people and traffic clear from the area of the fire, described by some as an abandoned warehouse.

An Albany Police Officer on patrol in the area reported the fire at 8:56 PM Saturday.

The blaze caused a power outage throughout downtown Albany for about three hours, causing drivers to use extra caution at intersections throughout the area.

The Linn-Benton Hazardous Material Response Team and the City of Albany`s Environmental Services staff is assisting. Fire crews expect to remain at the fire scene through the night.