Fire investigators were unable to determine the cause of a Tuesday evening fire in Lebanon that heavily damaged four units at the Copper Canyon Storage complex and also caused heat and smoke damage in neighboring units.
According to a news release, eight members of the Lebanon Fire District Fire Investigation Team explored the units on Thursday. They found an area of origin but lacked sufficient evidence to name a cause due to extensive damage.
None of the facility's 148 units have interior lighting or electricity. LED security lights mounted around the exterior provide the only electric service to its buildings. After consulting with an electrician, investigators dismissed the lights as a possible cause, as they're controlled by a photo sensor that doesn't supply power to the lighting circuits until triggered by darkness. Tuesday's fire was called in at 7:27 p.m., during daylight hours.
According to reports, a couple and their son were at Copper Canyon that evening, loading items into their unit when they smelled smoke. Then they heard two loud explosions and saw fire coming from the roof. The adults used on-site fire extinguishers with no success and called 911. Lebanon Fire District personnel arrived on scene within minutes, and crews quickly forced entry into multiple units to stop the growing blaze.
One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but refused transportation. Eight fire apparatus and 14 personnel responded, along with three personnel from the Tangent Rural Fire District.
The estimated value of the Copper Canyon complex, which has been open for less than three months, is $2.1 million, not including occupant contents. Estimated content loss stands at $23,500. Damage to the fire building is estimated to be upward of $25,000.
Fire rips through Lebanon storage units; cause undetermined
Jul 20, 2017 8:44 PM EST
Photo: Lebanon Fire District
Photo: Lebanon Fire District LEBANON, OR (KPTV) - A fire ripped through storage units in Lebanon, but investigators have been unable to determine a cause for the fire.
Firefighters responded to Copper Canyon Mini Storage on the 1100 block of Airway Road at 7:28 p.m. Tuesday.
A couple and their son were at the storage facility loading items into their unit when they smelled smoke. They then heard two loud explosions and saw fire coming from the roof of the building.
The adults used on-site fire extinguishers, but were not able to put out the fire. They called 911.
One person was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Four 10-by-20 units were heavily damaged by the fire, while neighboring units received heat and smoke damage.
Investigators moved from unit to unit on Thursday and were able to determine the area where the fire started, but there was not sufficient evidence to determine the cause of the fire.
None of the storage units have interior lighting or electricity and the only electric service to the buildings is for the LED security lights mounted around the exterior of the structure.
After consulting with an electrician, fire investigators eliminated the security lights as a possible cause because they are controlled by a sensor that does not supply power to the circuits until triggered by darkness.
Copper Canyon Mini Storage has been open for less than three months. Damage to the building is estimated at upward of $25,000, with damage to the contents at $23,500.
