On Monday night, a 911 call came in at 8:33 PM for a home on fire with a person trapped inside. Ashland Fire & Rescue firefighters responded quickly to the home on B Street in downtown Ashland. Within nine and a half minutes from the 911 call, firefighters suited up, responded to the fire, located a female in the home, extracted her and got her cared for in an ambulance. A person trapped in a fire is one of the most urgent calls firefighters ever receive.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our firefighters for how quickly and efficiently they saved someone’s life in this fire. Training is everything and it really shows the professionalism and dedication our staff make day in and day out to this community,” said Fire Chief Ralph Sartain.

The fire was extinguished with aid from Jackson County Fire District #5 and contained to one bedroom. Smoke damage was heavy throughout the home. Support from Ashland Police, Talent Police, Phoenix Police, and Ashland Electric was also critical to the emergency response. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist with emergency housing and support for the two people displaced by the fire. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm, but later downgraded once crews on scene quickly made the rescue and got the fire contained. An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing with help from Medford Fire Department.

Chief Sartain added, “In this case, a person was injured in the fire after going back into the burning building to rescue two cats. I want to impress upon everyone that once you’re out of a building during a fire, please stay out. Your life could depend on it.”