Corvallis Fire Responds To A Fire That Reveals A Fatality -10/04/23

The Corvallis Fire Department responded to a smoke investigation that turned out to be a residential structure fire in rural Benton County just before noon on October 2, kicking off a firefighting response and subsequent cleanup operation that persisted for nearly 24 hours.

The call came in around 11:50 a.m. on October 2 reporting smoke in the area of the 3200 block of Northwest Ponderosa Avenue. This area is located just outside Corvallis city limits within the Corvallis Rural Fire Protection District, which is protected by CFD. This area was previously covered by Fire Station 5, which was closed in 2012. 

A fire engine, dispatched from Fire Station 3 on Circle Boulevard, arrived and immediately began firefighting operations and called for additional resources. 

When firefighters entered the home to attack the fire and perform a search, they encountered an occupant inside the structure. Firefighters quickly removed the occupant from the structure and immediately performed an evaluation. It was determined that the occupant was deceased due to injuries not related to the fire. 

As the firefighting response continued, a portion of the roof collapsed, rendering the entire residence unstable. Nevertheless, Corvallis firefighters methodically searched the house multiple times to ensure that there were no additional occupants present.

Based on deteriorating safety conditions inside the house, firefighters were withdrawn and the decision was made to allow the fire to burn itself out. Firefighters adopted a defensive firefighting strategy focused on protecting nearby vegetation to limit the fire’s spread.

Ultimately, the fire consumed the residence but was prevented from spreading. Benton County Public Works operators used heavy equipment to assist firefighters by moving debris and uncovering smoldering hot spots located deep in the foundation. Firefighters remained on-scene until late in the morning on October 3, monitoring hot spots and working to fully extinguish the fire.

CFD is grateful for the professional assistance from its public safety partners, including the Benton County Sheriff, Corvallis Police Department, and the Benton County Medical Examiner. CFD also wishes to thank its mutual aid partners, including Adair Fire, Philomath Fire, Polk County Fire District #1, Albany Fire, Monroe Fire, Lebanon Fire, and Lane Fire Authority, who all stepped in to provide coverage for multiple emergency calls in Corvallis and the rural district during this extended incident.

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