Firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Lake Oswego Fire responded to a house fire at 8685 SW Commanche in Tualatin at 2:15 PM today. First-arriving crews reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the garage and initiated an aggressive interior fire attack. They immediately encountered deep piles of household rubbish in the garage and portions of the home which contributed to the fire and made it impossible to move safely throughout the structure. The commanding officer ordered personnel out of the home and called for a transitional attack. Firefighters controlled the fire, starting outside and slowly working their way deeper into the home and garage, in approximately 35 minutes.
Four residents of the home were transported to area medical facilities, three for smoke inhalation and one with minor burns. No firefighters were injured. The Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the displaced residents. Tualatin Police personnel also assisted on-scene.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation. The home was heavily damaged, but there is no dollar estimate available at this time.
TVF&R reminds homeowners of the importance of periodic household clean-ups, particularly in the garage area where hazardous and flammable materials are often stored.
