What was originally reported as a barn fire turned out to be a burning camper trailer early Tuesday morning, March 18, as Linn County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene to find the RV fully involved, with multiple propane tanks exploding.
According to a report by the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, occupants were out when authorities arrived at the location in the 24700 block of Brush Creek. The first arriving fire personnel discovered a nearly completely burned camp trailer threatening a small truck nearby, propane tanks and various small motor tools. The fire was quickly knocked down and brought under control by the first two responding fire apparatus crews.
A medic unit was dispatched to evaluate a resident on scene who had possible injuries from evacuating the camper. Engine companies from Sweet Home Fire and Mohawk Valley Fire finished extinguishing the fire and an overhaul of the site, and searched for two lost pets in the fire area.
Three fire apparatus and one medic unit responded with 10 personnel from Sweet Home Fire, along with an engine and tender from Mohawk Valley Fire and a tender from Brownsville Rural Fire also responding.
The residents on scene stated that they had recently filled several propane tanks and were using a small propane heater in the camp trailer when one resident noticed a large amount of fire suddenly coming from the line between the heater and propane tank, which quickly spread to the contents of the camper.
She stated that she could only just escape the camper before the interior was fully involved with smoke and fire. The residents attempted to retrieve their two dogs from the camper immediately, but were unable to access the trailer due to severe heat and smoke. One dog remained missing following a search by fire personnel.