Residential Fire Reported on West Brown Avenue; No Injuries

Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire Thursday evening at a home in the 1100 block of West Brown Avenue.

The call came in at approximately 8:36 p.m. on December 18, with crews arriving to find heavy smoke coming from the rear of a single-family home, affecting both the first and second floors. All residents had safely evacuated the home prior to firefighters’ arrival.

Crews determined the fire was contained to a bathroom inside the residence, though smoke had spread throughout much of the home. Firefighters completed a primary search, ventilated the structure, and rescued two cats from the second floor.

The home sustained smoke damage only, and no injuries were reported. Investigators later determined the fire was caused by an overloaded multi-plug adapter.

A total of 13 firefighters responded to the incident. Assisting agencies included Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Avista Utilities, Pacific Power, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

Fire officials are reminding residents to use caution with electrical devices and power strips. Safety tips include using certified (UL-approved) products, avoiding high-power appliances on multi-plug adapters, limiting outlets to one high-wattage device, and unplugging any strip that feels warm or smells unusual.