A three-alarm apartment fire killed one person early Sunday morning.
Emergency responders located 70-year-old Ramona Sue Schrock deceased inside apartment four, 2300 Main St., where the fire originated.
At approximately 1:34 a.m., the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District and Sweet Home Police Department responded to the fire.
While firefighters focused their efforts on putting out the fire, said Police Sgt. Jason Ogden, police officers began evacuating the remaining apartment units.
Crews arrived to to find fire moving from one unit into adjacent units in a five-unit apartment building, said Lt. Zach Lincoln. “Although crews worked quickly to extinguish and contain the fire to the apartment of origin, this fire did result in a fatality.”
SHFAD, Sweet Home Police Department and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office concluded their investigation Sunday, Ogden said. “The investigation determined that the fire originated at the cooking stove, which was found to be in the on position.”
The apartment complex includes two unattached buildings, with several units in each.
The fire displaced five adults from the apartment building, according to The Red Cross, which is providing assistance for temporary lodging, assistance to address immediate basic needs, information about recovery services, disaster health services and disaster mental health services.
A total of 30 firefighters responded, including crews from Lebanon and Brownsville. Halsey firefighters covered the district while crews were working.
Ogden asked that anyone with information related to the incident call the Sweet Home Police Department at (541) 367-5181.
— Update at 4:12 p.m., March 13, 2016