Fire destroys two mobile homes at Madras trailer park

(Update: More details from fire official, sheriff)

A fire that began in and destroyed a vacant mobile home at a Madras trailer park Friday afternoon quickly spread to and destroyed another one next door whose residents were away, authorities said.

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 crews were called around 3:15 p.m. Friday to the report of fire coming from two homes at the Tops Trailer Park at 23 Northwest Depot Road, said district spokesman Tom Jaca. The initial call did not indicate if anyone was inside

The first arriving fire unit reported one mobile home fully involved and a second starting to burn, Jaca said, noting the occupants of the second one were not home at the time.

Fire crews had the fire knocked down within a half-hour, he said. A total of 19 firefighters were on scene for 2 1/2 hours.

Both mobile homes dated to 1974. The unoccupied one was owned by the trailer park owners, Philip and Bridgitt Morseman, and both were a total loss, though Jaca said crews were able to save about half of the contents of the second home, owned by Patricia Orosco.

Losses were estimated at $17,500. Jaca said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins said a very young witness might have seen someone in the vacant trailer just before the fire broke out.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the six displaced residents of the second mobile home, officials said.

“There are huge pieces of burned trailer all over the trailer park,” said resident Christian Dlouhy.

American Red Cross disaster responders responded to help the two adults and four children with immediate basic needs.