Fireplace Ignites Beaverton Apartment; Displaces Mother, Daughter

BEAVERTON, OR — Two Beaverton residents — an adult woman and her elderly mother — lost their apartment to fire Wednesday morning, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue officials. They also lost their pet dog, which likely died from smoke inhalation.

TF&R crews were dispatched to a residential fire at the Murrayhill Woods Condominiums in the 9500-block of Southwest 146th Terrace just after 10 a.m. Jan. 3, spokeswoman Cassandra Ulven said. When they arrived, firefighters found a downstairs condominium ablaze and threatening the residence above it.

The condo-owner reportedly told investigators she woke up to alarms and found the living room on fire — likely accidental and caused by the fireplace, Ulven said.

As the condo-owner was evacuating her mother, she reportedly sustained burns to her feet.

Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire to the lower level, Ulven said, though the above condo sustained minor smoke damage.

In the midst of the battle, firefighters located the residents' dog, Ulven said, but it did not survive despite life-saving attempts.

The condo did not have a fire sprinkler system, and the condo-owner did not have homeowner's insurance, Ulven said.

Visit the TVF&R website for tips about fireplace safety and home heating equipment.

Images via Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue