EDITOR’S NOTE: The Trask River Apartment’s fire tragedy impacted our community with the loss of life, and also the loss of homes for many people. This hit “close to home.” One of those displaced, Lynda Jordan is the sister of Pioneer correspondent Romy Carver. Fortunately, Lynda was staying at Romy’s when the fire broke out, but returned home just as the fire was being put out. She lost everything. Lynda is a Tillamook High School grad from the class of 1964 and a retired nurse, lost her home Sunday when a fire consumed the studio apartment. This is the latest in a pattern of loss for the 79-year-old woman. Last February she lost her son, last month she lost her cat, and now she’s lost her home.
“We are still waiting to hear what, if anything, will be salvageable, due to heavy smoke and possibly water damage,” Lynda’s sister, Romy Carver, wrote on GoFundMe. “The apartment is padlocked and the only things she was able to retrieve were her meds and her son’s ashes, thanks to a thoughtful firefighter.” Here is the fundraiser link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-lynda-rebuild-after-the-fire
On Sunday, January 11 the Tillamook Fire District and Bay City Fire Department responded to a structure fire at an apartment complex on 6th Street in Tillamook.
Initial units on scene confirmed heavy smoke and fire activity affecting multiple units within the apartment structure. The fire spread rapidly escalated to a multi-agency response due to the structure and its proximity to additional apartments.
“Emergency crews responded to a structure fire with reports of an individual trapped within the structure. Fire crews immediately initiated fire attack and rescue operations simultaneously as Tillamook City Police and Tillamook Sheriff’s deputies coordinated evacuation of residents,” said Alan Christensen Operations Chief of Tillamook Fire District.
Through coordinated efforts, firefighters were able to contain the blaze within a few minutes of arrival and prevent further spread. Simultaneously, fire crews located and removed a victim from the primary fire apartment. Adjacent apartments suffered smoke, water, and structural damage. The American Red Cross is coordinating with community partners to provide temporary assistance for several residents who were displaced.
Unfortunately, the fire incident resulted in one fatality. Fire crews located and removed the deceased victim from the primary fire apartment. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Tillamook Ambulance personnel were on scene to provide care and transported one resident to the hospital who was later treated and released.
Thanks to our partners: local law enforcement assisted with crowd control and scene security; Tillamook City Public Works provided on scene supplies; and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with the cause and origin investigation. In total, there were 22 fire personnel on scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“This incident underscores the resilience of our emergency response network and demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Christensen. “The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by all responding agencies, both paid staff and volunteers was instrumental. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy.”
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Responding agencies included:
•Tillamook Fire District
•Bay City Fire Department
•Tillamook Ambulance
•Tillamook Police Department
•Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office
•Tillamook Public Works
•Tillamook 911
•Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office
•Tillamook PUD
•Red Cross