At 8:22 p.m. on December 12, 2017, Roseburg Fire Department was dispatched to a fire next to an out building at 905 W. Old Melrose Road. The fire was reported by the homeowners.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a fully involved portable free standing structure with flames spreading to a nearby storage building. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire which was contained to the free standing structure and storage building. The fire did not spread to the residential structure on the property. The fire damage was contained to the two out buildings and contents. The free standing structure had a motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle inside of the structure. There were no reported injuries.

The two out buildings and contents which are valued at $60,000 sustained approximately $20,000 in damage. The cause of the fire was investigated and determined to be discarded ashes from the homeowner's woodstove.

A total of 10 firefighters assisted with firefighting operations. Other agencies assisting with the fire included Pacific Power, Avista Utilities, and Roseburg Police Department.

The Roseburg Fire department would like to remind citizens that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Here are some simple steps that can prevent most heating-related fires from happening:

Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.

Never use your oven to heat your home.

Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

For the latest information regarding the City of Roseburg Fire Department, please visit our website at www.cityofroseburg.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roseburgfire.