Man trapped, critically burned in NE Madras house fire

A 42-year-old man who became trapped in a burning, long-vacant home in Madras Sunday night was critically burned before he could be rescued by firefighters, authorities said Wednesday.

Madras Police Chief Tanner Stanfill identified the man as Bruce Miller, a transient from Warm Springs. He was listed in critical condition Wednesday evening at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said

The fire was reported around 8:45 p.m. Sunday at a boarded-up home at 406 NE Sixth Street in Madras.

Fire investigator Marc Carman said the first police officers to arrive reported an active fire with a person trapped in the dwelling, which had been uninhabitable for about six years.

Carman said all of the window and door openings to the dwelling had been covered in plywood, but it took firefighters less than a minute to remove it while fighting the fire.

Fire Chief Brian Huff of Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 said crews had the man out of the home within four minutes of arrival. He first was taken to St. Charles Madras, then St. Charles Bend for treatment of burns before being flown to the Portland burn facility.

“Madras PD had the dwelling on their list of buildings frequented by the homeless,” Carman said. The home was owned by David Potter of Silverton. Losses were estimated at $20,000.

A fire investigation was conducted Monday by representatives of Madras police and the fire district, along with Oregon State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. A definitive cause for the fire could not be determined, but accidental causes were ruled out, Carman said.

Carman said more information could be available after officials interview the injured man.