News Release from: Cornelius Fire Dept.
TWO ALARM FIRE DESTROYS HOUSE SOUTH OF CORNELIUS
Posted: May 5th, 2013 12:54 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/IMG_0132.JPG (Photo 1)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/IMG_0127.JPG (Photo 2)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/5499_SW_Hergert_Road_5.4.2013_002.jpg (Photo 3)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/5499_SW_Hergert_Road_5.4.2013_003.jpg (Photo 4)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/IMG_0118.JPG (Photo 5)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/3753/63982/IMG_0120.JPG (Photo 6)
At 6:20pm on Saturday May 4th, Cornelius firefighters were dispatched to a house fire located at 5400 Block of SW Hergert Road; this is located two miles south of Cornelius. Crews arrived shortly after and found a 2 story log-cabin style home with heavy fire coming from the back. Firefighters made an interior attack on the flames, but they grew more intense and they had to withdraw from the structure, fighting the flames from outside. At 6:47pm incident commanders requested a 2nd alarm be dispatched, which brought additional resources to the scene. This was requested due to the heavy amounts of the fire, need for additional Water Tenders and the warm temperatures, which can fatigue a firefighter sooner. After over an hour of attacking the flames with multiple hoses, firefighters were able to extinguish a majority of the flames. Crews spent many hours on scene extinguishing hot spots, and at time of release, a crew is still on scene.
It was found that close to 20 individuals were living or visiting the house at the time of the fire, the location is a special situation that we requires a law enforcement response to the location to help with residents that become upset with emergency responders. Due to this, fire crews did not enter the property until the Washington County Sheriffs Office arrived. This was only a delay of a few seconds luckily with a deputy in the area. There was also difficulty in the beginning of the incident with providing a steady amount of water to firefighters. Due to its rural location with no fire hydrants available, water needs to be trucked to the scene by Water Tenders. Also the driveway to the house was extremely long, and firefighters had to deploy over 1,300 feet of hose to bring water from to the main road to the firefighters. Once a system to deliver water was in place, firefighters had a constant supply water.
The fire caused significant damage throughout the entire house and is possibly a total loss. At this time there is no estimate on total damages and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. No residents or firefighters were injured at the fire.
Cornelius Fire was assisted on scene by Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Gaston Fire District, Banks Fire District, Washington County Fire District #2, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Washington County Sheriffs Office and the Portland Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Dispatch- 6:20pm
Arrived- 6:27
2nd Alarm- 6:47
Recalled- 8:20
Response Information-
Engines - 7
Water Tenders - 6
Rehab - 1
Chiefs - 3
Total Firefighters - 40
Photos 1, 2, 5 and 6 were provided by the Washington County Sheriffs Office.
# # #
Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
