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Lebanon, Ore.

The Lebanon Fire District has seen an unusually high occurrence of fires in our area, and has responded to three fires in our District and one in Sweet Home in fewer than 48 hours. 

The first two fires, both in Lebanon, occurred on Sunday, March 26. Crews battled a blaze in a pole barn on a property that provided difficult access, as it was full of RVs, cars, and other obstacles. In addition to being one of the four fires in two days, this was also the second fire at this property in less than a month. Later on Sunday, the same crews were dispatched to a fully-engulfed RV in a rural part of our District. Even without access to the city hydrant system, this fire was knocked down within 20 minutes of arrival.

On Monday evening, our neighbors to the east in Sweet Home were busy with their own structure fire. As part of our mutual aid agreements, LFD sent Aerial Truck 34 (T34) to assist, as well as a fully-staffed ambulance to cover any EMS calls for service during the fire. While those six duty crew members were assisting Sweet Home, several of our volunteers and off-duty staff came in to cover Lebanon. 

The final fire came in on Tuesday morning, approximately 20 minutes before the 7:00 AM shift change, which meant crews that battled the previous night’s fire were dispatched again, much like Sunday’s fires. First-arriving units found a residential home in the 300 block of Maple Street showing flames and smoke from both the home and attached garage. Firefighting efforts were challenged by the older construction of the home as well as a large volume of personal contents in and around the structure. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control, but 5^th street was closed to local access for several hours. Because of the shift change timing, LFD was able to respond with over 25 personnel between A shift and B shift, Commanding Officers, and volunteers. One resident was evaluated for a minor burn injury on scene that did not require medical transport, and no firefighters were injured. 

Thank you to PP&L for securing electrical, Albany Fire Department for sending one engine and one medic to cover the district, and the City of Lebanon for providing traffic control. The cause of this fire also remains under investigation.

Though no causes for any of the fires have been determined yet, the Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents to be cautious when using alternative home-heating methods, such as space heaters, and the importance of regularly testing and maintaining your smoke alarms. If you need assistance with smoke alarms, or wish to schedule a free home safety evaluation, please call our Fire & Life Safety office at (541) 451-1901.  

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At 1920 Lebanon Fire District was dispatched to its second structure fire of the day. Initial reports stated that a fifth wheel RV was on fire and everyone was out. The Incident commander arrived on scene to a fully involved fifth wheel trailer with no exposures. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes after the first engine arrived. Lebanon Fire had 16 personnel respond to the fire. No injuries were reported during the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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At 10:09 Lebanon Fire District responded to a report of a structure fire. The first arriving unit arrived to a 36X36 pole building with smoke and fire showing. After using the circular saw to gain access into the building, the Lebanon Fire District was able to knock the fire down. Lebanon Fire District responded with 19 personnel to extinguish the fire. Albany Fire Department and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District assisted with the numerous medical calls that came in during the fire. No injuries were reported during the fire. The Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Lebanon Firefighters responded early Friday morning to an unknown fire in the area of Porter Street. When the Incident Commander arrived, he found a 20x30 detached garage with heavy fire exiting the building. Firefighters had to navigate through multiple abandoned vehicles and discarded belongings on the property to reach the fire. The IC declared the mode of operation as defensive due to the condition of the structure. Firefighters quickly trained their hoses and began to extinguish the fire and had it completely out in little over an hour. Firefighters remained on scene trying to access hotspots but were hampered by the building being full of pianos and belongings. Firefighters cleared the scene just before 0400 after all mop-up was complete. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

Lebanon Fire District responded with 1 truck company, 2 engines, 1 ALS medic unit, 1 pumper-tender, 1 heavy rescue, and a rehab unit for firefighters, as well as 4 staff officers. Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Linn County Sheriff’s office and PP&L. Thank you to Albany Fire Department for coming to our aid by protecting our citizens while firefighters were busy.

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Lebanon Firefighters responded to a motorhome fire where the occupant narrowly escaped this morning. The single occupant of the motorhome was sleeping when the blaze broke out, the occupant tried frantically to stop the fire, while looking for his dog and then escaped. When the Incident Commander arrived, the motorhome was fully involved with exposures to the back and side of the RV. While the IC was doing his 360 walkaround he found residents of the property try to cool down one of the exposures that housed the homeowner’s belongings. Firefighters arrived and began battling the blaze which also caught a vehicle and detached garage on fire. Medics on scene evaluated and transported the single occupant of the motorhome to a local area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, his dog did not escape and was later found by firefighters.

The fire was under control in about 20 minutes and crews remained on scene for little over hour afterwards mopping-up hot spots and investigating. While the incident was happening Hwy 20 was closed in all directions and detoured around the scene due to supply lines from the hydrant and for firefighter safety. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Lebanon Fire District responded with 1 truck company, 1 engine, 3 ALS medic units, 1 heavy rescue and a rehab unit for firefighters, along with 3 staff officer vehicles. Firefighters were assisted at the scene by ODOT, Lebanon Police Department and PP&L while Albany Fire Department helped protect the citizens of Lebanon.

Lebanon Fire District would like to remind everyone that during the colder weather, the importance of properly using space heaters, having adequate space around them and that they are plugged directly into an outlet. Also, of having working smoke detectors in their proper areas, even in recreational vehicles.