Document text
Firefighter injured during three-alarm fire in Ashland ASHLAND � A three-alarm house fire Friday night sent a Jackson County Fire District 5 firefighter to the hospital. The firefighter, whose name was not being released, was in good condition at Rogue Valley Medical Center after receiving treatment for an electric shock, fire authorities said. Live fireworks apparently sparked a blaze in dry juniper bushes that surrounded a home at the corner of Linda and Nezla streets around 6 p.m., said Ashland Assistant Fire Chief and Marshall David Hard. Strong winds blew the fire toward the house where firefighters fought to control it. Falling embers ignited another fire in dry bushes in the backyard of a home across the street. Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service crews quickly extinguished the spot fire before it damaged any structures. Ashland, Phoenix and Medford fire departments and District 5 battled the three-alarm house fire. "It was huge," said 14-year-old neighbor Jason Coburn, who reported the fire to police. "Ten seconds later it was in the yard and on the trees." The home�s occupants were inside when the fire started and were not injured. Hard estimated damages to the home and its contents at $550,000. Hard said dry shrubs, such as the juniper bushes that ignited the structure fire, make prime fuel for fires and are a problem all over the city. "This is why we want fireworks not used, especially nine days later," said Hard as fire crews used chainsaws to dismantle the blackened and smoldering remains of trees and shrubs. The final flames were put out around 8 p.m. Hard said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The home�s occupants, however, were not involved, he added. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.