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3-alarm fire destroys one Medford home, damages another By Nick Morgan Posted Apr 25, 2018 at 6:37 PM Updated Apr 25, 2018 at 7:54 PM Fire crews respond to a house fire at Bowmont Circle and Siskiyou Boulevard in Medford Wednesday afternoon. ▲ Fire crews respond to a house fire at Bowmont Circle and Siskiyou Boulevard in Medford Wednesday afternoon. ▲ --> The fire spread thick, black smoke into the neighborhood that was visible from downtown Medford. ▲ The fire spread thick, black smoke into the neighborhood that was visible from downtown Medford. ▲ --> Firefighters work on the roof of a fully involved house fire near Bowmont Circle and Siskiyou Boulevard in Medford. ▲ Firefighters work on the roof of a fully involved house fire near Bowmont Circle and Siskiyou Boulevard in Medford. ▲ --> A three-alarm fire destroyed one home and damaged another Wednesday afternoon in a neighborhood near Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The fire started in a field at about 4:15 p.m. and first spread to 424 Bowmont Circle, where four people fled safely. One resident went back inside to find the family dog. "He came back out," Medford Fire-Rescue Fire Marshal Greg Kleinberg said of the resident, "which is a really good thing." The dog is still missing. The fire then spread to 448 Bowmont, where residents weren't at home, Kleinberg said. No injuries had been reported as of Wednesday evening. A total of eight engines from Jackson County Fire District 3, Fire District 5 and Medford Fire-Rescue battled the flames, which sent thick black smoke visible from downtown Medford. Nearby houses were evacuated as firefighters worked to keep the blaze from spreading further. The fire closed Siskiyou Boulevard at Black Oak for a few hours, and as of Wednesday evening Bowmont Circle remained closed. Kleinberg estimated crews would remain on scene throughout the evening, adding that an investigation into the cause likely won't start until Thursday morning. With temperatures above 80 degrees for the first time this year, Kleinberg said that keeping firefighters cool was a priority. A third alarm called at 4:38 p.m. brought extra personnel on scene to give firefighters frequent breaks. "They get super hot in their turnouts," Kleinberg said. Among evacuated neighbors was Murali Penumarthy, whose home was two houses away from the fire. A woman with pet crates in her car helped Penumarthy keep his cats cool and away from the smoke. "She doesn't even know us," Penumarthy said. Others who stepped up to help included a Domino's employee, who offered dinner coupons to affected people in the neighborhood. One resident wearing black, visibly overwhelmed, hugged the employee. Penumarthy praised the professionalism of firefighters and police at the scene, who allowed him to check on his rabbit and goldfish. "They really care for us," Penumarthy said. The scene also drew bystanders from nearby Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, and staff handed out masks to bystanders and residents. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat . Most Popular Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Police: Cat killed during fight between couple Apr 19 at 6:36 PM Nathan "Nate" Allen Joling Apr 25 at 8:51 AM A long view of home Apr 19 at 6:56 PM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Woman charged in $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear theft Apr 20 at 4:58 PM Man sentenced for raping, assaulting wife Apr 20 at 7:14 AM Roller Derby benefits kids battling cancer Apr 20 at 5:32 PM Driver who struck bulls must pay $23,268 Apr 24 at 7:16 AM Motorcyclist killed in east Medford crash Apr 23 at 9:02 AM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM Medford Sears weathers the retail storm Apr 23 at 4:43 PM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501