Home damaged in fire, nine cats killed, two rescued
A home was significantly damaged and nine cats died from smoke inhalation, while two more were rescued in Forest Grove Monday afternoon. A massive response from neighboring fire agencies was due to the fire inadvertently being upgraded to a 2nd alarm.
A home near D Street and 22nd Avenue was significantly damaged by fire Monday afternoon, and nine cats were killed as a result.
Two cats were rescued and taken to a local veterinarian, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue said.
One cat was witnessed sheltering under Forest Grove Fire & Rescue's Engine 427, which is typically stationed at the Gales Creek Fire Station. With the help of a bystander, two AMR medics coaxed the cat out.
AMR medics and a bystander rescue a cat that had sheltered under a fire engine. Photos: Chas Hundley
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was first dispatched to the fire at 3:13 p.m. Monday, June 2, the city's fire department said in a press release.
"Crews arrived minutes later to find fire showing out of the front window of the house," FGF&R said.
Hey there. We were on-scene for this story, because we're making a commitment to street-level journalism. To keep doing this work, our young community newspaper needs you to sign up for a free or paid email newsletter! Click below right now to do it.
Thanks. - Chas Hundley, founder, janitor, etc.
The occupants of the house were not home at the time, nor were their dogs.
Firefighters knocked down flames through a window and forced entry into the house through the front door.
Inside, fire crews were able to extinguish most of the fire, but by then, flames had spread upstairs into a converted bedroom attic.
Working atop the roof, fire crews used saws to cut through the roof to let out heat and smoke, and to access hidden areas with remaining hot spots.
Firefighters sawed into the roof to vent heat and smoke and look for hidden hotspots. Photos: Chas Hundley
"In total, it took firefighters approximately 30 minutes to deem the incident under control," FGF&R said.
While searching for anyone trapped in the building, a standard procedure, firefighters found nine cats that had succumbed to smoke inhalation, while two were taken to a local veterinary office fur further evaluation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
No injuries were reported.
A huge response to the scene brought neighboring agencies to Forest Grove, closing streets. As it turned out, the large response was due to an error. The call was inadvertently upgraded to a 2nd alarm fire by the county's dispatch center, Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA), Forest Grove Fire & Rescue spokesperson Matt Johnston told News in the Grove.
Photos: Chas Hundley
The call drew firefighters from Banks Fire District 13, Cornelius Fire Department, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, the Forest Grove Police Department, and AMR.
