Fire damaged a house in the 33000 block of Sunset View Dr., five miles north of Brownsville, on Thursday morning, April 10.
Brownsville firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 10:46 a.m., arriving within two minutes of the alarm since they were already working at another incident nearby, Brownsville Training Officer Zach Lincoln said.
Upon arrival, crews found a two-story home with smoke coming from the eaves all the way around the house. Within minutes, the fire had already burned through the roof. Initial crews kept the fire at bay until more resources arrived.
Firefighters used a chainsaw on the roof to cut holes to ventilate and access the fire, Lincoln said.
Firefighters searched the residence and were able to locate a pet rabbit, which was brought to safety and appeared to be unharmed. The occupant and three dogs safely made it out of the fire with the assistance of a few neighbors. One person was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
Initial information suggested the cause of the fire was related to a bathroom fan, Lincoln said.
Nineteen firefighters from the Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd, and Harrisburg fired districts responded; most of them volunteers.
“ If not for the dedicated volunteer firefighters in rural areas of Oregon, the outcome of many fires like this would be significantly worse,” Lincoln said.