Smoke alarms sound, save sleeping Tumalo family of 8 and their pets from fire that destroyed their home
(Update: Adding Video)
TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) – A family of eight and their dog and cat escaped a fire that destroyed their Tumalo home late Monday night, thanks to smoke alarms that awakened them, officials said. Losses are estimated at $1.4 million.
Bend Fire & Rescue responded around midnight to a structure fire in the 64000 block of Research Road, Fire Inspector Melissa Steele said.
A couple and their six children, as well as their dog, were awakened by the smoke alarms. Steele said a resident searched the home and found the porch and entire front exterior of the house ablaze. Flames also extended into the second-floor bedroom and up into the attic, she added.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze in about 45 minutes.
The power had recently gone out in the neighborhood amid windy conditions, Steele said, and the fire broke out shortly after power was restored.
Steele later said that while the exact cause of the fire could not be determined, the area of origin had been narrowed down to part of the exterior wall of the front porch.
"We simply can't rule out the possible ignition sources that we need to, to make an exact determination," she said, adding that the "fire appears to be accidental in nature."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The home and its contents are a total loss from fire and smoke damage, estimated at approximately $1.4 million.
The family also was reunited with their cat on Tuesday morning.
"This could have been a completely different outcome, had the family not had working smoke alarms," Steele said in a news release.
"Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind residents that having a family escape plan, and practicing it often, is crucial in a safe evacuation from a house fire. For tips on how to create a family escape plan, please call Bend Fire at 541-322-6300 or go to our website."
Another good resource can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/home-fire-escape-planning.aspx
