Structure Fire displaces families

Two families were displaced by a duplex fire Saturday night at 1129 Niagara Avenue in Astoria. The fire was reported to 911 at 8:54pm. One of the tenants of the duplex reported hearing a loud noise and discovered smoke coming from the attached apartment. Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the eaves of the building. Bystanders reported that there could possibly be someone in the residence. Firefighters searched the residence, but they were unable to locate anyone. The fire was quickly extinguished and brought under control by 9:19pm. While fire personnel searched the apartment they discovered some hazardous materials that may be of some concern within the apartment. Astoria Fire & Rescue, Astoria Police Department, Oregon State Police and the Oregon State Fire Marshal personnel will be investigating.

Fire and smoke damaged the apartment and its contents. The American Red Cross was notified however both families were able to arrange housing for the night.

Twenty-one fire personnel and four engines were committed to this fire. Two engines from Astoria Fire and Rescue along with one engine each from Lewis & Clark and Olney Walluski were initially dispatched. Community Emergency Response Team members assisted with the fire and Medix Ambulance personnel were on scene to provide any medical assistance. Astoria Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff Department, and Astoria Port Security provided traffic control and secured the scene.

Astoria Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone to check their smoke alarms monthly. Smoke alarms are great and they can alert the occupants of a fire in the residence, but residential fire sprinkler systems can extinguish a fire. Residential Fire Sprinkler systems provide a safer environment for families, protection of their investment and irreplaceable family possessions, and may even lower insurance rates.