Fire injures one destroys home on Portland Drive in Hood River
Photo of the house prior to the fire. Source: Google Maps
By Tom Peterson
One person was injured and a home was destroyed in a difficult fire on Wednesday night, July 20, in South Hood River.
Firefighters were called out around 10:45 p.m. to the single-story house at 3950 Portland Drive. It was fully engulfed in flames, said Doug Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer Fire Marshall for West Side Rural Fire Protection District.
When first responders arrived a single person had “self-extricated” themselves from the home but had received burn injuries and was taken to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.
Using engines and water tenders, firefighters blasted water on the fire, but the fire was a difficult one to battle due to trailers, brush, equipment and other structures that were near the house and had also caught fire.
“There were complicating factors,” Kelly said. “Propane tanks - lots of ammunition in the house- significant brush hazards - travel trailers up to the house. It was difficult to access due to all the surrounding equipment and brush.”
Kelly said when ammunition started popping off, firefighters went to a defensive tac, choosing to fight the fire with water cannons perched atop the engines.
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While firefighters were able to extinguish the flames and protect nearby properties in the rural orchard area, it was not enough to save the house.
“Although the structure is still standing, there was a partial roof collapse,” Kelly said. “I’d call that building a total loss.”
Firefighters finished mopping up the fire at 1:30 a.m., and then a West Side engine remained on site overnight to knock down any flare-ups.
“We’re still trying to track down insurance information, and were not sure of the family’s status,” he said.
The origin and cause of the fire have yet to be determined, Kelly said, noting an investigator from the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s office is handling those details.
Multiple agencies were called out to assist in the blaze, including fire agencies from Mosier, Klickit, Bingen, Wy’East and Parkdale. Kelly thanked them all and apologized if he missed any other agency that also aided in the fire.
“Our team did exceptionally, and I’m very proud of them,” Kelly said. “It was a hot and difficult fire.”
West Side Rural Fire relies on 50 volunteer firefighters and several paid staff members.
