West Linn Home Heavily Damaged by Fire (PHOTOS)

Firefighters credit neighbors for helping a fire engineer stretch fire hose down the block to the closest hydrant.

Photos courtesy: Walt Peck/West Linn Fire

(WEST LINN, Ore.) - An early morning fire caused extensive damage to a home located at 1913 Sunburst Terrace in West Linn today. Crews from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Lake Oswego Fire & Rescue, and Clackamas County Fire District 1 responded. Walt Peck, Public Information Officer with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, says Engine 58 from the Bolton Station in West Linn was first on scene.

"Finding heavy fire and smoke at the back of the home, and fire spreading into the attic, they quickly requested a 2nd Alarm."

Peck says after an initial fire attack, crews forced their way into the home where they found smoke within three feet of the ground on the first floor, and no visibility at all on the second.

"Despite active fire in portions of the structure, a search for possible victims was completed. After determining that the house was unoccupied, the team withdrew."

While the initial firefight and search were underway, neighbors helped Engine 58's Engineer stretch fire hose down the block to the closest hydrant.

"The neighbors help was invaluable," said Lt. Clay Blake with TVF&R.

"The fire was spreading quickly and we had just about used about the 750 gallons we were carrying on the engine. We needed more water, and they delivered."

Peck said, "Knowing that the home was unoccupied, and seeing that the wood shingle roof was quickly being compromised by the fire, the incident commander called for a defensive attack. Firefighters withdrew from the home, fought the fire from the exterior with the help of an aerial master stream, and successfully prevented it from spreading to adjacent homes."

One TVF&R firefighter sustained minor injuries in the blaze that took about 80 minutes to bring under control.

"Officials were able to make contact with the homeowners who were away for the weekend. They have since returned to the area," Peck said.

TVF&R investigators have started their review into the cause of the fire. There is no information at this time regarding cause or the value of the loss, though the home was heavily damaged.

West Linn Police and AMR Ambulance also assisted in the response to this incident.

Peck says the smoke encountered by firefighters inside the home provides a vivid reminder that it is the smoke that kills.

"Most fire deaths and injuries occur at night when victims are asleep. Smoke alarms won't prevent fires, but they will increase your chances of getting out and calling the fire department."

He says working smoke alarms more than double your chance of surviving a fire. For information about smoke alarms and other safety tips, go to tvfr.com.