Yesterday, November 18th at approximately 11:33 am, Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue District responded to reports of a house fire at 95 Gregory Street in Wheeler, Oregon. The commanding officer called for a second alarm while enroute due to the size of the smoke column visible from the Nehalem Bridge. The first engine arrived on scene with reports of a victim trapped inside of the structure that was heavily involved with fire. Incident Command requested a third alarm, as the engine crew deployed hose lines and conducted a rescue of the victim. Additional fire crews initiated resuscitation efforts of the victim. The victim was then transported to Tillamook Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.
Crews from Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue, Rockaway Beach Fire Department, Garibaldi Fire Department, Bay City Fire Department, and Cannon Beach Fire District ventilated the structure, extinguished the fire and overhauled the structure. A fire investigation is being conducted in partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
A special thanks to Tillamook 911 dispatchers, City of Wheeler Public Works, Cannon Beach Fire District, Rockaway Beach Fire Department, Garibaldi Fire Department, Bay City Fire Department, Tillamook Ambulance, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, and Deputy Oregon State Fire Marshals Miller and Dugan.
Our condolences go out to the family and the community for the loss of a community member.
Chief Frank E. Knight III
Incident #24-686
