Public Safety

Electrical Fire Destroys Camas Valley Home, Displaces Two Residents

Two residents were displaced after a fire destroyed a home along East Camas Road in Camas Valley. Fire officials said an electrical short at a bedroom outlet sparked the blaze, which caused heavy smoke and flame damage and a partial roof collapse.

Image courtesy of the Camas Valley Volunteer Fire Discrict

CAMAS VALLEY, Ore. - Two residents were displaced after a fire heavily damaged a home along East Camas Road in Camas Valley, according to Camas Valley Fire.

Firefighters were paged at approximately 11 a.m. for a reported structure fire in the area. Tender 4260 was the first apparatus to arrive and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the front and side of the residence.

Crews immediately began suppression efforts and were able to keep the fire contained to the structure, with little to no spread into the surrounding wildland.

No one was inside the home when the fire started, and no injuries were reported among residents or responding firefighters.

The residence was considered a total loss. Camas Valley Fire said the home sustained approximately 100% smoke damage and 75% flame damage, along with a partial roof collapse. Two residents were displaced as a result of the fire.

An investigation determined the probable cause was an electrical short at an outlet inside a bedroom. According to the fire district, the electrical issue ignited nearby material and spread to a mattress, resulting in rapid fire growth.

Camas Valley Fire responded with Tender 4260, Engines 4230, 4231 and 4232, Ambulance 4270 and Brush Truck 4281. Nine volunteer firefighters responded to the incident.

Crews remained at the scene for approximately 2.5 hours while completing overhaul and mop-up operations, checking for remaining hot spots and resupplying apparatus before returning to service.

Mutual aid was provided by Tenmile Rural Fire District, Lookingglass Rural Fire District, Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Because of the potential for the structure fire to spread into nearby vegetation, DFPA also had a spotter aircraft and helicopter overhead and ready to assist if the fire extended into the wildland.

Camas Valley Fire thanked the firefighters, personnel and agencies involved in the response, saying the additional resources were important in containing the fire and protecting the surrounding area.