Fire Rescue, Sept. 28

At 2306 on Saturday 9/26/15 Eugene Springfield Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire at 1992 Carmel Ave. On arrival the house had a large volume of fire and smoke on the back side of the house. Crews were able to make a quick knock down and gain control of the fire that had spread into the attic. Prior to arrival of the fire department, off duty Fire Engineer from Eugene Springfield Fire department Jesse Gill who lives two houses away heard some noises outside. Looking outside he saw a large glow from his neighbor’s house. He went into action to assists his neighbors who were reportedly still in side. Jesse entered the house that had smoke halfway down from the ceiling finding the husband fighting the fire from the glass slider. Jesse was able to remove the husband and close the glass slider which he described as being extremely hot. He found the wife down the hallway in the back room in the same smoke conditions and removed her and kept them safe until the engines arrived. The fire was caused by a faulty Hot water heater that was on the back deck. Fire spread from it to the deck and nearby combustibles which then caused a propane bottle to vent spreading the fire rapidly toward the house and into the attic. Fire was brought under control 30 minutes from dispatch. Damage estimate $110,000.