Attic fire causes extensive damage to SW Madras home; residents, pets escape safely

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – An attic fire extensively damaged a southwest Madras home early Thursday morning, but all of the residents and pets escaped the home safely, officials said.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS crews responded around 2:50 a.m. to the reported house fire in the 800 block of SW First Street, Deputy Chief of Operations Kasey Skaar said.

The smoke awakened the residents, Skaar said, adding that they had no operational smoke alarms.

Crews arrived to find the active fire in the attic, entered and began work to put it out, but not before extensive damage occurred, Skaar said.

The fire agency said it had 16 personnel on scene, including nine staff and seven volunteers with an engine, ladder truck, two ambulances, an air unit and a command vehicle. Jefferson County Fire & EMS was assisted by Madras police, as well as an engine from Redmond Fire & Rescue and Pacific Power.

The cause of the fire was under investigation by the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office, Skaar said.