Just minutes before 8:30 pm, an alert passerby called 911 to report four-foot length flames and black smoke coming from the roof at 1920 SE Alder in Hillsboro.
Engine 1 arrived within three minutes and confirmed a working fire in the attic of the home. The incident was upgraded to a first alarm to bring additional resources to fire. Working from the inside of the home, firefighters found heavy smoke conditions in the attic and an active fire. Crews were able to knock down the seat of the fire quickly and methodically worked to locate and extinguish hotspots throughout the attic space. Because the structural integrity of the roof was compromised by fire, firefighters did not go onto the roof for safety reasons.
The incident commander was informed that no one was home at the time of the fire. Firefighters thoroughly searched the home to confirm and no injuries were reported.
A Hillsboro Fire investigator responded to the incident and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
A public safety chaplain responded to the scene to provide support and assistance to the homeowner who arrived after the fire had been extinguished.
