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@HillsboroFire
Overnight, our firefighters responded to a residential fire in a duplex on NE Barberry Court in Hillsboro. Just after 11:00 p.m., a neighbor behind the home saw an orange glow and initially thought it was from a fire pit. As they approached the fence separating the two homes, they saw heavy black smoke and a fire growing quickly outside the back of the home. Minutes after the first call to 911, many other neighbors called 911 and reported that the fire appeared to have spread inside the home.
Upon arrival, Hillsboro Fire Engine 5 immediately assessed the situation and found flames consuming the back and side of the home. They swiftly requested that dispatchers upgrade the fire to a first alarm to bring additional firefighting resources to fight the fire. A second fire engine arrived shortly after the first arriving crew and connected to a fire hydrant to supply firefighting water. Firefighters strategically deployed multiple hose lines to attack the fire from the exterior rear and side while other firefighters tactically attacked the fire inside the home. Additional crews accessed the roof to cut ventilation holes to help clear smoke and heated gas from inside. Firefighters meticulously searched for and extinguished hot spots in the attic space and walls to ensure the fire was completely out.
Firefighters thoroughly searched the house and found one patient who required medical assessment. That patient was transported to a hospital. All other residents from the affected fire unit and the adjacent duplex unit evacuated safely from the structure. No other injuries were reported.
A Hillsboro Fire investigator responded to the incident and is working to determine the cause of the fire. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Hillsboro Public Safety chaplains responded to the scene to support and assist the residents impacted by the fire, which displaced ten people.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Police, AMR Ambulance, Cornelius Fire Department, and Hillsboro Public Safety Chaplains assisted Hillsboro Fire & Rescue. Thanks also to the Cornelius Fire Department for providing emergency response coverage of one of our fire stations during the incident.
Incident video of firefighters being decontaminated at the fire scene can be found here.
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