A homeowner stopped a fire Monday afternoon thanks to a passerby, who stopped and alerted the occupants that the porch was on fire.
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District responded to the fire at 38230 Hwy. 228 at about 3 p.m. The fire was out by the time firefighters arrived because the homeowner had extinguished it with a garden hose.
The two occupants were able to contain the fire to the porch before it spread into the house.
At about 6:40 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of a house on fire on Highway 20 near milepost 24. A passerby reported it to 9-1-1 but did not stop.
Crews found a homeowner using a barbecue.
Fire officials noted that had the passerby not stopped at the fire on Highway 228, the outcome for the home and residents could have been different. They ask that callers report fires to 9-1-1 and also try to alert occupants to a fire.
If it’s not possible to remain, they ask that callers park at a safe distance and wait for emergency crews.
The Brownsville Fire Department, Lebanon Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry also responded to the reported fires.