Salem-News.com Fire articles Page 44

Gresham Woman Dies in Early Morning Fire

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

(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.

No Injuries in Keizer House Fire

No damage estimate was immediately available and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - Keizer firefighters responded to a house fire shortly before 6:00 PM Thursday at 1554 Manzanita Street NE. Fire Spokesman Jim Trett says the first fire unit was in route at 5:44 pm and arrived on the scene at 5:48 PM.

"Firefighters reported seeing heavy smoke and an orange glow in the area while approaching from five blocks away," he stated.

Keizer Fire District Honors Outstanding Service

Awards were presented to employees and volunteers with the Keizer Fire District.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Fire District held its annual Firefighter Reception on Monday. The ceremony introduced the new recruits recently accepted into the District’s training program; saw the swearing in of new firefighters and the presentation of the District’s service awards.

Oregon Fire Marshal Nancy Orr joined the District in making the award presentations and delivered the keynote address for the evening.

Salem Apartment Fire Displaces Ten People

The Willamette Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Salem assisted 8 out of the 10 people who were misplaced from their homes. Holmstrom says 6 adults and 4 kids were affected.

(SALEM, Ore.) - An apartment fire in Salem burned out of control for almost twenty minutes today as firefighters were forced to cut into the siding to reach and extinguish the flames at 3353 Willow Court SE. Salem Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says units were called out at 1:42 PM to this fire at the Clark Creek Apartments.

He explained that an upstairs neighbor, Virginia Herrera, notice smoke coming out her stove vent. She called 9-1-1 and had her family evacuate.

Deep Fryer Only Casualty in McDonalds Fire

It is reported that the fire was started in the deep fat fryer due to possible grease spilling outside the fryer.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Nobody was hurt when a fire broke out this afternoon at the McDonalds Restaurant located at 1598 Hawthorne Avenue NE in Salem. Customers and employees were evacuated from the building as three fire engines and several other rescue related vehicles rushed to the scene at 2:13 PM.

Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says that when firefighters arrived on scene, they had smoke coming from the front of the restaurant and visible flames in the area of the deep fat fryer.

Clark County Fire Crews Stand Down After Tornado

"If you live in the affected area, please stay inside if possible. As power is restored, there is the potential for live downed power lines that may be difficult to distinguish at night." - Leah Edwards, Clark County Fire

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - Clark County Fire District 6 in Washington scaled back operations at 7:00 PM in response to the afternoon tornado. Approximately 70 firefighters and 20 command center staff from nearly every fire agency in Clark County responded to emergencies associated with the Hazel Dell area tornado.

Spokeswoman Leah Edwards said most calls crews responded to were for property damage, downed power lines, and downed trees.

Fire Organizations Seeks Enhanced Building Code Requirements for Fault Circuit Interrupters

Innovative safety device designed to prevent death and destruction caused by electrical fires.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Fire Marshals Association and the National Fire Protection Association today issued a call to action to officials with the state’s Electrical Specialty Code Review Committee to recommend expanding the state’s requirement for "AFCIs", fault circuit interrupters- an innovative home safety device designed to prevent home electrical fires.

An AFCI is an advanced form of a simple circuit breaker that detects a dangerous condition in a home’s electrical system, which left uncorrected, can lead to an electrical fire.

Investigation Concludes on Historic Nyberg House Fire

The home, considered to be a complete loss, has been turned back to the owners and their private insurance company.

(TUALATIN, Ore.) - Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue fire investigators have concluded that a fire that destroyed a historic home in Tualatin last week likely began in an upholstered chair on the west end of the first floor.

"The determination came after investigators were granted very limited and quick access to the building late yesterday," Fire Spokesperson Karen Eubanks said.

Salem Fire Praises Three Citizens for their Assistance

"These three individuals really made a tremendous difference in assisting the rescue of the people trapped in the car. We cannot thank them enough" - Salem Fire Captain John Justice

(SALEM, Ore.) - Three people came to the aid of a grandmother today after a rollover accident that left her SUV in a ditch at the intersection of Skyline Road and Cole Road South. Firefighters say the efforts of the citizens who stopped to help made a difference.

Salem Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says that this is one of several incidents that kept crews moving this morning. Monday morning Salem Fire Department responded to numerous accidents due to the slick road conditions, he said.

Update on Historic Nyberg House Fire in Tualatin

Until the danger of working around and beneath unstable structural members is eliminated, the fire investigation remains on-hold

(TUALATIN, Ore.) - Tualatin likely began the process of saying goodbye to a landmark Wednesday, January 2nd, when flames were reported at the historic Nyberg house that night at 11:30 PM.

The building was devastated by the fire and is likely a total loss. At the time of the fire it was vacant, though transient activity was reported from time to time there.