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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 17, 2007 Medford fire inspectors Randy Cooper, left, and Greg Kleinberg search through the kitchen area of a fire-damaged house on Medford's Reddy Avenue. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Blaze chars residence Home left heavily damaged, though structurally sound By chris conrad Mail Tribune Fire officials are investigating the cause of a kitchen blaze that blackened an east Medford home Friday afternoon. Medford firefighters shut down a block of Reddy Avenue after the call came in at around 1:25 p.m. that a two-story home had caught fire. Initially, fire crews were told that two people may have been inside, but it turned out the residents were not home, Medford fire Battalion Chief Brian Fish said. "We did a thorough search of the house and found no one inside," Fish said. The blaze was contained to the kitchen in the back of the house. However, smoke filled the second story, causing severe damage, Fish said. Advertisement The blaze was extinguished in about 15 minutes, leaving crews to clean up the area. Fire crews broke out the top floor windows to allow the smoke to escape. The kitchen was destroyed and the back end of the home was charred. "It's structurally sound and can be refurbished," Fish said. "It's going to take a lot of work." The blaze provided an opportunity for six fire department recruits to get some valuable experience mopping up a scene and searching for hidden fires inside the home, Fish said. "These recruits allowed us to leave six firefighters for other calls in town while this fire was going on," Fish said. Two fire inspectors continued investigating the source of the blaze late Friday. As they prepared to leave, two firefighters took the time to fix a small wire fence protecting some flowers near the burnt home. Apparently, the fire crews knocked the fence down while dragging a hose to the scene. "That's good customer service right there," Fish said to the firefighters. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary