Firefighters' Blitz Attack Keeps Happy Valley Home From Being Total Loss (PHOTOS)

Home partly saved by quick action of fire crews from Clackamas.

Photos courtesy: Steve McAdoo/Clackamas Fire

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Clackamas Fire crews responded to a large house on fire in Happy Valley this morning at 7:25 a.m. Sunday July 12th. It happened at 12375 SE Eagle Glen Drive in Happy Valley.

Clackamas Fire's Public Information Officer, Steve McAdoo, said, "Many neighbors called and reported everything from massive amounts of smoke in the area to a home fully engulfed in flames. It was also reported that the homeowners were on vacation. They did return to the home."

He says crews arrived to find a large house with flames and smoke coming from all sides of the home.

"The first arriving engine company performed a blitz attack to get a quick knockdown of the fire."

McAdoo explains that a "blitz attack" is the operation of a large diameter hose line used to shoot massive gallons of water into the fire to knock it down so other crews can get to the seat of the fire and extinguish it quickly.

"This was a very hot fire, according to the initial attack team. The fire quickly went to a 2nd alarm due to the size of the home and amount of fire. A primary search of the home was completed and there was no one found to be inside the home."

Truck company 4 from the Lake Road fire station were ordered to the roof to ventilate the building by cutting holes, to allow the smoke and heat to escape from the structure.

This allowed for crews to get inside and locate the fire safely, according to McAdoo.

"The fire did extend into the attic which made the fight more challenging. However, persistent hard work payed off and they were able to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes."

A cause and source of the fire is unknown at this time. Crews remained on scene for several hours overhauling and salvaging as many of the owners belongings as possible.

Most of the contents appeared to be destroyed by the fire.

"Remember to check your home several times before leaving for extended periods of time," McAdoo says you can't be too careful.

"Look for candles, coffee pots left on, extension cords plugged in, irons left on, curling irons and straighteners left plugged in and anything that could cause a fire. Power strips with a circuit breaker built in is recommended for many parts of your home."

He says having different people do a check of the home is a good idea, because a different set of eyes may find something dangerous.

For more info regarding home fire safety please visit clackamasfire.com.

================================================