Chris Chapman
**Updated 12:47 a.m. Wednesday December 27, 2023**
The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District responded Tuesday evening to a fire at an abandoned duplex located at 3725 Long Street. Multiple 911 calls reported the structure on fire at 9:31 p.m. Battalion Chief 21 arrived six minutes later to find the building fully engulfed with flames emerging from the eaves on all four sides and from the windows and doors.
“It was an abandoned house,” said Fire Chief Nick Tyler. “It was fully involved by the time our initial units arrived. There were no signs of any occupants and no indications of how it started. As of now, it’s officially still under investigation. We did get a good turnout with our volunteers.”
Battalion Chief Shannon Pettner, added that structures to the east and the west were exposed, however, neither were damaged. A total of 19 personnel from Sweet Home Fire, including a ladder truck, three engines, a rescue unit, an ambulance, and three chief officers, responded to the scene. “The building began to collapse within minutes of our arrival, and crews brought the fire under control quickly remaining on scene overhauling the structure and investigating for 2 hours,” Pettner said.
The cause of the fire is undetermined but considered suspicious, as no ignition sources were located, and the building had no power. There were no casualties or injuries reported. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Video Provided By: JoAnne Parkerson