LEBANON FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO BLAZE

Lebanon Fire District

Lebanon Fire District responded mid-morning Friday June 3^rd to a reported house fire on a busy section of South Santiam Hwy. Fire crews arrived to find a one and half story home, nearly fully engulfed in flames. When the incident commander arrived, he declared the fire a defensive fire attack due to the crews being hampered by live powerlines on the ground. Fire crews were able to reset the blaze with the defensive attack and found another door allowing firefighters to enter safely and begin offensive suppression efforts. Because of the location and no fire hydrants nearby, the IC called for an additional water tender for water supply as well as ODOT for traffic control.

Due to the construction type, firefighters chased the fire around in knee walls and an attic space before getting fire completely extinguished. The IC called the fire under control after approximately 90 minutes and crews would remain on scene for several hours for salvage and overhaul. Additional resources from Sweet Home Fire District arrived and helped the already exhausted crews in overhaul of the building.

No residents were home at the time but did arrive shortly after the blaze broke out and was reported to 911. Firefighters evaluated a resident who lived at the home for smoke inhalation and Albany Fire Department transported the patient to a local area hospital for further evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. A firefighter from Lebanon Fire was also transported with non-life-threatening injuries for evaluation. Residents of the home reported that four dogs were in the home when the blaze broke out and they were unable to escape, firefighters were able to retrieve three but unfortunately, they had succumbed to smoke and heat. 

The Lebanon Fire District responded to the blaze with 25 personnel on, 1 engine, 1 ladder truck, 2 ALS ambulances, 2 water tenders, 1 heavy rescue and a firefighter rehab unit. Three chief officers responded in their district vehicles as well as the Deputy Fire Marshal with the Lebanon Fire Investigation Team (LFIT is made up of career and volunteer firefighters with officers from LPD). Lebanon Fire would like to thank Albany Fire Department, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, ODOT and OSP for their assistance at the fire and for covering the citizens of Lebanon while firefighters battled the blaze.

Firefighters would like to remind its citizens not to try and enter a smoke filled or burning building, but instead to call 911 immediately.