WINCHESTER, Ore. (KMTR) -- Douglas County fire investigators believe a cigarette placed in a plastic bowl is what caused a fire that destroyed around 12 apartment units at a Winchester housing complex.
Fire marshals with the Douglas County Fire District #2 (DCFD-2) spent Tuesday afternoon, July 20th, 2010, combing through charred debris at the Saddle Butte Apartments. Investigators found evidence of a melted plastic bowl near where the fire began.
The fire broke out just before 3 p.m. at the Saddle Butte Apartments off Page Road. Investigators say the fire started on a second floor balcony.
Investigators say the resident that lives in the apartment where the fire started took a nap around 2:30 p.m. Just before 3 p.m., the resident awoke to the sound of her smoke alarm, and her balcony in flames.
“That balcony is no longer on the second story; it's all down and piled up,” says Josep Pedrola, a fire marshal for Douglas County Fire District #2.
“She's a smoker and she was using that plastic bowl to put out cigarette butts,” says Pedrola. “With a plastic bowl, it is a lot of opportunity for something to burn through, picking up some air; it's not a deep container.”
While around 40 firefighters helped tackle the flames, residents are to thank for helping get everyone out safely with no injuries.
“There was a couple of witnesses that came and started knocking on doors and making sure people were okay, it was fortunate because you know, there's a lot of people in these apartments,” says Pedrola.
The Red Cross is helping out 11 residents, while dozens more have been displaced.
Dave Jones is one of the residents whose apartment was completely destroyed in the fire. Jones has only lived in the complex for about a year.
“I've kind of gotten to call this home and gotten to know a lot of the folks who live here,” says Jones.
Tuesday, Jones was picking up the pieces of what was left. Some items in a water soaked bedroom, and others in a storage unit, including his fishing gear.
While it’s not a lot, Jones says it’s enough and he’ll get by.
“You know coming down with MS kind of makes you realize what's really important to you. And I'm okay and the people all here at the apartment got out,” says Jones.
Dave will move to an apartment next door, remaining on the Saddle Butte Apartments grounds. “I'm just gonna do it slow, and... kinda start over you know?” says Jones.
The fire caused about 700 to 900-thousand dollars in damage. For the next week, the American Red Cross will offer help to those impacted, with clothes, food, medication and a place to stay.
If you’re a Saddle Butte Apartments resident displaced by the fire that would like help, you can call the Roseburg-area Red Cross office at 541-673-3255.
The Red Cross is accepting donations as well. Officials are encouraging monetary donations, saying those are the easiest to dispense.
