Man Saves Dog During Fire At Cherry Blossom Apartments In The Dalles
Fire crews responding to a fire at Cherry Blossom Apartments. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
A fire was reported at the Cherry Blossom apartments in The Dalles today March 28th at 5:22 p.m. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, The Dallas City Police and Dallesport, Fire District responded to the scene and quickly stemmed the blaze before it could spread to other apartment units.
The fire was contained as of 5:40 p.m. Cherry Heights Rd. between Mt. Hood St. and 6th St. will remain closed temporarily while emergency response teams are working in the area.
“The fire was dealt with very quickly by the crews that arrived on scene,” said Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Palmer.
The fire remained contained to the apartment of origin and did not extend to additional units. Although Firefighters are still checking to ensure there was no damage to other units.
Fire crews mop up and assess the fire damage to the apartment that burned. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Raymond Newberry, who was at home at the time of the blaze was visibly rattled by the devastation to his home. He put on a brave face to the crowd of people living in the apartments who had gathered outside when Cherry Blossom Apartment Owners showed concern for Neuberg at the scene.
When they asked him if he was okay and whether they could do anything to help, including helping him light the cigarette which he kept fumbling, Newberry tried to put on a tough face, saying that he was fine, and he’d “use the ashes” of his now-burned apartment to light his cigarette.
MCFR Chief Bob Palmer (left) checks in with Raymond Newberry (center) while residents of the apartment wait to be told it is safe to return to their units. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Newberry said he suspected the cause of the fire was electrical.
“I’ve been running an extension cord for a few days. I was going to put in a maintenance request,” he said, still looking fairly shell shocked.
He said he’d been sleeping when he woke up to smoke and flames filling his apartment.
Thinking quickly, he grabbed his dog and threw it out of his first-floor window, then he quickly tried to take some photos to help determine the cause of the blaze before jumping out the window himself.
In the process he says he sustained minor burns on both of his hands.
Newberry said he was grateful to have escaped with his dog and his life and was glad that his son had not been with him.
“Everything else can be replaced,” he said.
Although Newberry suspects an electrical fire, fire teams have yet to determine the cause.
“Cause is under investigation; it’s too early to tell what may have caused it,” said Palmer.
The Cherry Blossom Apartment owners declined to comment but remained on scene to check in with residents and MCFR.
Support Local News
Help keep our communities up to date on public safety information in our area by supporting local news.
