Fire damaged two residences Wednesday, Jan. 4, Lebanon Fire District reported – the first a home that burned in the early morning on West D Street and the second an apartment fire reported late in the evening on Market Street.
At 3:48 a.m., LFD units responded to the 400 block of West D Street for the report of a structure fire.
The first arriving officer reported heavy smoke showing from a single-story, single-family residence. Both occupants managed to escape the blaze and were assisted by a neighbor prior to getting help from the Red Cross. One of the occupants was assessed for smoke inhalation but declined transport to the hospital.
Due to rapidly changing conditions from the excessive fire load in the structure, incident command upgraded to a second alarm, requesting assistance from surrounding agencies to help battle the blaze. The fire was contained by 4:50 a.m., but crews remained on scene completing mop-up operations until 7 a.m. Fire investigators traced the source of the fire to an overloaded power strip.
Lebanon Fire responded with nine apparatus and 19 personnel. Lebanon was assisted by Brownsville Fire District, Albany Fire Department, and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District.
The second fire was reported at approximately 10:45 p.m. in an apartment in the 40 block of Market Street late Wednesday, Jan. 4, LFD reported.
First arriving units reported smoke and flames showing from a second-story window. After an aggressive initial attack, the fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of initially being dispatched. However, crews remained on scene throughout most of the night to complete overhaul operations and then fire watch, which is when firefighters remain on scene to spot any rekindling that may occur.
The apartment was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries to firefighters or the public were reported. The fire was contained to one unit, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Lebanon Fire District emphasizes the importance of having functioning smoke alarms in your home or apartment. If you need help with your smoke alarm, call (541) 451-1901.