At 11:42 a.m. today, firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue responded to 9-1-1 calls from neighbors that a garage was on fire at 15175 SW Basalt Court in Beaverton. Four minutes later, firefighters arrived at the home to find the garage engulfed in flames with smoke billowing from the eves. Despite the quick response and fire attack, the main body of fire in the garage had spread into the second story and stubbornly burned in the attic space. Fortunately the owner of the home had already safely evacuated.
About 30 minutes into the incident, firefighters had to pull out of the home due to instability and work from the outside to put the fire out. It took nearly 50 minutes to gain control of the fire which ravaged the two-story home and much of its contents. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes.
At this hour, fire investigators are processing the scene to determine what caused the fire. The homeowners are fully insured and their insurance company has arranged for alternative lodging.