The Oregonian
COLTON , Ore. — Three firefighters were injured Tuesday evening battling a house fire along Oregon 211.
While trying to reach a hot spot on the roof, one firefighter tried to secure himself to a ladder. But part of the house gave way, causing the ladder to fall, said Colton Fire Chief Richard Beaudoin. Two firefighters below were hurt while trying to catch the falling firefighter.
All three were treated at local hospitals and released.
Beaudoin said crews were dispatched at 8:05 p.m. after a report of fire in the living room walls of a home in the 24200 block of South Highway 211. Arriving firefighters found smoke pouring from the home’s second-story windows and eaves. The homeowner told firefighters that the “popping” sounds likely were from ammunition he stored in the attic.
Firefighters determined that the fire started in the fireplace and spread up the walls to the attic. They tried to enter the attic through a second-story bedroom, but were turned back by the intense heat and blinding smoke, Beaudoin said.
Crews finally were able to enter the attic by pulling down the ceiling.
Colton firefighters were assisted by crews from the Estacada and Molalla fire districts, bringing the blaze under control in about an hour, Beaudoin said.
The homeowner repeatedly entered the burning home, trying to retrieve items until firefighters convinced him it was unsafe, Beaudoin said. Firefighters also were hampered by “large amounts of clutter,” he said.
Firefighters did not observe any working smoke alarms.
“This is very dangerous for firefighters,” Beaudoin said. “Keeping your home clear of clutter and having working smoke alarms as well as getting out — and staying out — will substantially increase your chances of surviving a fire and decrease the amount of damage caused by a fire.”
Beaudoin said the homeowner told firefighters he saw fire between cracks around the fireplace, which was damaged by a recent windstorm.
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