A man in his early twenties is fortunate to be alive today after firefighters rescued him from his burning condominium in Forest Grove. Just before 3:00 am on Sunday April 29, 2012 a downstairs neighbor in the building located at 3404 19th Avenue in Forest Grove, heard a strange popping noise and after going outside to investigate he discovered smoke coming from a second floor condo, the neighbor reacted the right way and quickly ran inside to call 9-1-1. When firefighters from the Forest Grove Fire Station arrived they found an active fire burning inside of the kitchen of Unit 207 at the complex. After having to force entry into the locked condo, a dog and cat charged from the smoke filled building while FGF&R Intern Firefighter Gabe Welp began to extinguish the fire as Lieutenant Chris Woodford started to search for victims. Opening the door to the first bedroom he came to, Chris found a 21 year old man unresponsive laying in bed. Volunteer Firefighter Brooke Brown, and Intern Firefighter Emmet Middaugh from Engine 422 assisted Woodford and Welp as they grabbed the unconscious man and pulled him free from danger, where waiting Firefighter/Paramedics provided advanced life support care to the young man.
The victim was transported to Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro where he was treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighter/Paramedics that went with the victim in the Metro West Ambulance reported that he was able to talk to emergency room staff, but that he did not know what had happened. His injuries do not appear to be life threatening at this time. Fire investigators found that a pan had been left on the stove and that the electric burner was left turned on high. There was extensive fire damage in the kitchen, that caused at least $40,000 in damages to the rest of the home and contents. No working smoke alarms were found and the building did not have a fire sprinkler system that would have otherwise controlled the fire.
The condo was occupied by a husband and wife, the victim of the fire is their roommate. The married couple was not home at the time of the fire, but arrived later that morning after being informed of the fire. Forest Grove Police Officers quickly secured the dog that escaped the fire but the family cat is still missing. Based on statements and evidence at the scene it appears that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in this incident. Firefighters made a quick stop on the fire and luckily prevented it within minutes of the fire spreading to the building's attic or to another unit in the complex. Please be cautious in your home, especially if you share a building with others. If you choose to drink, please do so responsibly, and never attempt to cook, drive, or use equipment. Make sure that you have a working smoke alarm and always practice a family fire escape plan.
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