Lebanon firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 3600 block of S. Santiam Highway in the early evening hours of Wednesday, March 28.
The first due ladder truck arrived to find smoke coming from the attic of a duplex and radioed an offensive fire attack. Firefighters went to work by making searches of the building, with firefighters from the medic cutting a hole in the roof for ventilation. A next due engine laid 700 feet of four inch supply line to bring more water to the blaze.
Lebanon Fire District reported that what made this fire dangerous for firefighters was its location due to the smoke laying low and covering all four lanes of the busy highway while apparatus were working off the highway. The incident commander requested help from Oregon Department of Transportation and Lebanon Police Department to assist with traffic control as additional firefighters arrived and during the operation to keep firefighters safe.
The blaze was radioed under control within minutes of fire crews making their attack. Crews were on scene for two and half hours mopping up hotspots, clearing smoke and investigating the cause of the fire. The cause is under investigation by the Lebanon Fire Investigation Team (LFIT). No injuries were reported, but the occupants from both residences have been displaced due to smoke and fire damage.
LFD responded with 19 personnel on one ladder truck, three engines, one heavy rescue, one ALS medic unit, one rehab unit for firefighters and three chief officers. Lebanon firefighters were assisted at the scene by ODOT, Lebanon Police Department and Pacific Power & Light. Albany Fire Department supported Lebanon firefighters by covering additional 911 calls with one engine and one medic unit.
The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of discarding cigarettes or smoking materials in proper receptacles and having working smoke alarms in place. For assistance with smoke alarms in your home, contact the Fire & Life Safety Division at (541) 451-1901.