Late-night fire destroys Alfalfa-area home; 5 pets perish in blaze

State Fire Marshal helping investigate cause; losses estimated at $210K

ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) – State fire investigators are helping look for the cause of a house fire late Monday night that destroyed an Alfalfa-area home and killed five pets.

Alfalfa Fire & Rescue firefighters were dispatched around 11:40 p.m. to the reported fire at a home in the 2400 block of Southwest Morgan Road, Fire Chief Chad LaVallee said.

The fire crews to arrive on scene found one side of the single-story home ablaze and “made an aggressive interior attack and primary search,” LaVallee said. Subsequent crews began a coordinated defensive attack, and due to damage the first crews also came out of the house and began defensive operations.

Firefighters knocked down the blaze and began overhauling the structure, securing the scene and requesting assistance the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office for the investigation. Water tenders supplied water for the fight, as there aren’t hydrants in the area.

Arriving crews were told all people had left the home, but five pets were still inside, LaVallee said. One pet was recovered in an initial search, but unfortunately later succumbed to injuries from smoke inhalation, he said. Four other pets were found in crates and also unfortunately had died.

The homeowner was evaluated and treated for smoke inhalation but refused medical transport, the fire chief said.

The home is a total loss, estimated at $210,000, LaValle said. Crews were on scene until late Tuesday, assisting the OSFM with their initial investigation.