On February 18, a neighbor called 911 at 8:30 pm to report 15-20 foot flames coming from the back area of a nearby home. A Hillsboro Police patrol officer arrived within minutes and confirmed that the back of a home was fully consumed by fire. As firefighters were en route, the call was upgraded to a first alarm for additional resources.Â
Neighbors and caregivers assisted in the evacuation of a medically-dependent resident. All residents were reported to have evacuated safely except one of three small dogs that were still missing.
Firefighters from Engine 2 and Engine 1 quickly extinguished the fire on the home’s back deck that had also extended into the kitchen and attic. Firefighters from Engine 5 searched the home and confirmed all residents were out. After an extensive search, the missing dog was located uninjured and returned to its human family members. Two Hillsboro public safety chaplains responded to the incident to provide support and coordinate Red Cross assistance. Three adults and three pets were displaced by the fire.Â
A Hillsboro Fire Investigator determined the cause of the fire to be a cooking fire that was moved outside that then ignited combustible materials on the back deck.Â
