Two structure fires and a vehicle fire that ignited a tree in Lithia Park kept Ashland Fire & Rescue crews on their toes this week.
The first fire was a structure fire on the porch of 314 Hargadine St on July 1st. Crews responded quickly to this downtown fire and within minutes extinguished a fire caused by discarded cigarettes on the front porch of the residence. The first engine on scene was enough to put out the single alarm fire and limit damage to one side of the porch.
The second fire took place on July 3rd. A Ford truck caught fire near the intersection of Granite Street and Winburn Way in a Lithia Park parking lot. The burning truck then rolled into a nearby cedar tree, igniting the tree. Crews from Ashland Fire & Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry kept the fire contained to the truck and lower portion of the tree with no spread beyond the tree. Leaking gasoline was contained quickly before entering the storm drain. The exact cause of the vehicle catching fire was undetermined.
Finally, at 12:17 p.m. today a structure fire in the 500 block of Clay Street burned one apartment, a portion of an office, and damaged an upstairs bedroom in another apartment. Crews from Ashland Fire & Rescue and Jackson County Fire District #5 found flames coming from the window upon arrival and a second alarm was called for additional resources. The flames were knocked down within 11 minutes of arriving on scene. Several residents were displaced due to the fire, smoke damage, and loss of electricity. No people or pets were injured in the fire. The fire started on the exterior of the building, but a cause has not been determined. The American Red Cross is assisting the affected residents.
Online City Services
UTILITIES-Connect/Disconnect, Pay your bill & more