Fire caused by unattended fire pit torches east Medford attic - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-10-05

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Asphalt plant sued in federal court       ...       Mapping Muggers Alley       ...       Spotters needed for National Weather Service       ...       Asphalt plant sued in federal court       ...       Mapping Muggers Alley       ...       Spotters needed for National Weather Service       ...           PUBLIC SAFETY Fire caused by unattended fire pit torches east Medford attic Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 3:29 PM Updated Aug 30, 2015 at 3:43 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 3:29 PM Updated Aug 30, 2015 at 3:43 PM »  Social News Small pieces of wood burning in an unattended fire pit in east Medford got out of control Sunday morning, starting a fire that damaged parts of a home's exterior and torched the attic area. Dispatch logs from Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon show Medford Fire-Rescue first responded to a house in the 2000 block of Brighton Circle — off Cedar Links Drive — at 10:09 a.m. Battalion chief Rick Rohrbough said the man and woman living in the home had been burning small pieces of wood in a fire pit, but eventually left it unattended. Then they heard crackling noises and saw the flames. Rohrbough said the fire first spread to the wooden deck where the fire pit sat, then moved up the back wall of the home into the attic area and rafters. "The attic was well involved upon arrival," Rohrbough said. "It never did get fully involved, but it was well involved." The occupants were able to make it out without injury. An initial attack force of four engines and 16 firefighters went to work. Crews cut holes in the ceiling to attack the blaze. "Flames shot out of that hole 15, 16 feet. A lot of fire,” Rohrbough said. Rohrbough added he never had to call for a second alarm and summon more personnel to help, but that he got close. Firefighters had the flames under control in about 10 minutes, he said. No firefighters were injured. The home is salvageable and not a total loss, but there is significant damage to the structure. The home's attic area is completely destroyed, Rohrbough said. There is also some significant damage to the kitchen area where crews had to pull down the ceiling and attack the flames from below. About $25,000 in damage is estimated, fire officials said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 30, 2015 at 3:29 PM Updated Aug 30, 2015 at 3:43 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501