News Release from: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue
FIRE DAMAGES FOREST GROVE APARTMENT
Posted: December 28th, 2012 4:14 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1797/60522/20121228_132138.jpg (Smoke Showing)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1797/60522/Apartment_Fire_1920_Elm_St_%231_12.28.2012_002.jpg (Burned Area)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1797/60522/Apartment_Fire_1920_Elm_St_%231_12.28.2012_008.jpg (Up the Stairs)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1797/60522/Apartment_Fire_1920_Elm_St_%231_12.28.2012_057.jpg (Sprinkler Head)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1797/60522/Apartment_Fire_1920_Elm_St_%231_12.28.2012_079.jpg (Down the Stairs)
Firefighters from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue (FGF&R) were dispatched to an apartment fire at 1:10PM on Friday December 28, 2012 located at 1920 Elm Street. Firefighters arrived just minutes after being dispatched to find a two story 4-unit apartment building with smoke coming from the back side of the building. Fire crews forced entry into the apartment and were able to quickly extinguish the flames that were located at the top of the stairs on the second floor.
No one was home at the time of the fire and was called in by an alert neighbor in the same building. Firefighters remained on scene for over an hour extinguishing hot spots. There is moderate smoke and heat damage throughout second floor, with a small area in the hallway with damage from flames. The first floor sustained only water damage.
At the time of the fire, the electricity was turned off to the specific apartment. There appeared to be extension cords that were coming from the outside and powering various items inside the apartment. After investigation, it appears that one of these extension cords overheated due to being overloaded and caught items near it on fire. The fire is initially estimated to have caused $15,000 in damage. No civilians or firefighters were injured at the incident.
Water service was also turned off to this unit which prevented fire sprinklers installed in the unit to work correctly. If the fire sprinklers were working, this fire wouldn't have caused as much damaged and would have been found sooner. American Red Cross was on scene assisting the tenant of the apartment.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue wants to remind everyone that you should never over load extension cords with too many items. They can become overheated and catch fire.
FGF&R was assisted on scene by Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue and Gaston Fire District.
Response information:
4 - Engines
1 - Truck
1 - Chief
1 - Investigator
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