Nobility Drive fire started by cigarette - Gate House

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-10-19

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By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune November 13. 2014 12:13PM Nobility Drive fire started by cigarette An unattended, lit cigarette was the cause of a fire that gutted the second story of a Medford transitional home early Wednesday, Medford Fire-Rescue reported. Because of that, the fire, which broke out after 4 a.m. at 700 Nobility Drive, is being ruled as accidental, fire officials said. The facility serves as a transitional home for convicts on parole and recovering substance abusers. The blaze at the 2-1/2 story home forced its 12 residents to flee outside while flames tore up the upper level. Two residents were forced to jump to safety. One of them injured his foot in the jump, necessitating transport to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment, where he was later released. No other injuries were reported. The fire drew crews from Medford Fire-Rescue andJackson County fire districts 3 and 5. Medford police helped with crowd control. Crews had a substantial portion of the blaze controlled after about 45 minutes, but spent an additional two hours chasing residual flames through attic spaces, walls and floors. The building is insured. A damage estimate was not immediately available. Jackson County Community Justice officials said residents have a variety of housing options available in the interim, but arrangements must be approved by their parole officers. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141113/NEWS/141119827 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->