Central Coast Apartment Fire, April 11

Commercial Structure Fire, 485 W. Willow Street, Apartment 24, Waldport, OR. At 09:43 hours (9:43AM) on Saturday April 7, 2018 the Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District was dispatched for a report of Visible Smoke coming from Apartment 24 of the SaDuMann Apartments.  Central Oregon Coast units responded at 09:44 hours (9:44AM) and arrived on scene at 09:46 hours (9:46AM).  First arriving units reported smoke showing from the second story of Apartment Building “F” apartment # 24 with fire visible through a second story window.  The first arriving Engine Company geared up for an aggressive interior fire attack while the first arriving company officer ensured that all of the other apartments in the building were evacuated.  Fire attack crews made their way to the second floor and entered apartment 24, where the encountered heavy smoke and heat conditions.  They made their way to the room of origin which was the kitchen.  They immediately applied water to the area of the fire in the kitchen and were able to knock the fire down.  Mutual aid companies were already dispatched and enroute from Yachats Fire District, Seal Rock Fire District and Newport Fire and arrived on scene to assist.  Hose lines were laid into the first arriving Engine from the hydrant to provide water supply.  Once the fire was knocked down crews were sent upstairs to continue extinguishment while additional crews were gathering belongings downstairs and covering them with salvage tarps to protect them from additional water damage. The fire was under control at 10:36 hours (10:36AM) but units remained on the scene continuing salvage and overhaul for several hours.  As part of the secondary search of the building fire department command staff was advised that a pet cat had been left behind in apartment 19 of the building.  Fire Department personnel were sent to search apartment 19 once again and were able to locate the feline.  The pet was brought outside safely, uninjured, and re-united with her owner. Once all Salvage and Overhaul of the structure was completed the scene was investigated for the cause of fire with assistance by members of the Lincoln County Fire Investigation Team and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office. The last fire department Engine cleared the scene at 12:37 hours (12:37PM) and the final unit cleared the scene at 16:50 hours (4:50PM) after the fire scene investigation and interviews had been completed. Central Coast Fire was assisted on the scene by Seal Rock Fire District, Yachats Fire District, Newport Fire Department and Pac-West Ambulance.  The Red Cross arrived at the scene to assist the displaced occupants of the apartment. There were no injuries reported of civilians or emergency personnel.