Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue investigators have finished processing the scene of a fatal mobile home fire in Beaverton. Because of the extensive damage, they have been unable to conclusively determine the cause of the fire.
Firefighters were called to the Mobile Home Corral at 3737 SW 117th Avenue in Beaverton at 3:45 this morning. The first arriving engine found a mobile home fully involved in flames. Firefighters were concerned the flames could spread to surrounding structures and vegetation.
As fire crews attacked the fire and worked to keep it from spreading to surrounding homes, firefighters conducted a search of the involved mobile home and discovered a deceased person inside.
The victim has been identified as the resident of the home, Rita Andersen, who was 61.
Investigators did find a large number of tea candles near the fire’s area of origin in the mobile home’s living room. Through interviews with neighbors and family members, investigators learned that the home did not have electricity or natural gas and that Andersen used the candles to light the home at night.
Investigators have officially ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined.
TVF&R reminds the public to be careful with candles, and to keep them away from combustibles and extinguish them before going to bed. For more fire safety tips, visit http://tvfr.com.
