Residents squeeze through window to escape blaze

Residents sustained first degree burns in Clackamas house fire

The Clackamas Review, Nov 1, 2009, Updated Nov 3, 2009

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Residents sustained first degree burns in Clackamas house fire

A weekend house fire that severely damaged a Clackamas home, leaving residents with minor injuries, was likely caused by a wall heating unit with items stored too close to it, investigators said.

"This is a huge teachable moment," said Clackamas Fire District #1 Fire Marshall Scott Weninger. "Not only were there items stored too close to the wall(space)heater, but then there were no working smoke alarms in the home; this could very easily have been a double fatality fire."

Clackamas County Fire District #1 received a call at 2:56 a.m. Sunday for a house fire at 13494 SE 119th Court in Clackamas, off of Mather Road between Mount Talbert and 122nd Avenue. Fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the back of the home and were met outside by the home’s two residents, who had minor injuries.

Firefighters trying to battle the fire through the front of the home encountered heavy heat and smoke. A crew from CFD #1’s Lake Road station cut holes in the roof to ventilate the home, eventually allowing crews to bring the blaze under control.

The fire in the house, which was an 1,100 square-foot ranch-style home, was under control about 15 minutes after the first truck reached the scene.

Investigators said another factor that led to injuries was that the homeowner and his roommate were unable to get out through the living area, and the homeowners second means of escape, which was his bedroom window, was blocked by an air conditioner. The occupants had to squeeze through a very small bathroom window to get outside. Both of the residents sustained first and second-degree burns along with some respiratory issues related to smoke inhalation.

Investigators estimate the dollar loss amount is $60,000 to the structure and $25,000 to the contents. Red Cross has stepped in and assisted the homeowner and his roommate with a place to stay for several days, until other arrangements are made.

-Anthony Roberts