Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Two dogs were killed in a fire believed to be caused by welding equipment inside a Josephine County, Oregon shop.




Josephine County, Ore. – Two dogs were killed in a fire believed to be caused by welding equipment inside a Josephine County shop.

Firefighters said they responded to a structure fire in the 3500 block of Upper River Road, just outside Grants Pass.

When crews arrived they found a shop fully engulfed in flames behind a home.

The flames had spread to the home’s attic as fire advanced through nearby brush and blackberries.

Firefighters said they quickly contained the fire, limiting the spread to wildland.

Nobody was injured, but two dogs died in the fire.

Rural Metro Fire said the cause is believed to be from welding equipment located inside the shop.

“Welding ‘indoors’ is not a prohibited activity, but does come with personal responsibility to do so safely,” firefighters said following the incident.



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FORT VANNOY, Ore. — A house fire broke out Monday afternoon on the 3500 block of Upper River Road in Grants Pass.


According to Rural Metro Fire, fire crews arrived to a fully engulfed shop that had spread into the attic of the main home and advanced to a nearby RV, car and surrounding wildland.



Firefighters say, the home was not a total loss and all residents made it out safely, but a few dogs did not.


Oregon Department of Forestry was also on scene.

Upper River Road remains partially closed to traffic between Pinecrest Drive and Lathrop Ln for firefighters and the public's safety.

The cause of fire is believed to be from welding from inside the shop, say firefighters.



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This afternoon the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Rural Metro Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene of a structure fire in the 3500 block of Upper River Road. The fire is out at this time, however Upper River Road remains partially closed to traffic between Pinecrest Drive and Lathrop Ln for firefighter and the public's safety. 


Quick responses from all agencies allowed crews to keep the fire contained to the structure with only minimal spread to the surrounding wildland. Additional units were utilized on scene for extra manpower due to the high temperatures outside.


With 100+ degree weather forecast this week, it is important for everyone to be aware of the current fire season restrictions and heed them.


The Fire Danger Level was raised to 'Extreme' this morning at 12:01 AM. Please visit www.swofire.com to review current fire safety restrictions.


The cause of this fire is under investigation. Please contact Rural Metro Fire for more information.