Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Investigation underway for Westlawn Terrace Fire
Friday, February 29
Fire investigators with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue have begun analyzing the scene of an intense afternoon blaze today that severely damaged two units at the Westlawn Terrace Apartments, 13370 NW Westlawn Terrace.
The initial 9-1-1 call was received at 3:09 p.m. and firefighters were on-scene at 3:13 p.m. The first-in crew from Station 68 (Oak Hills) reported heavy fire in a ground floor unit, as well as the apartment immediately above it. Fire was also venting from the roof line of the two-story, 12-unit apartment complex. Additional resources were requested and approximately 40 firefighters from TVF&R and Hillsboro Fire and Rescue were eventually involved. A fire wall in the attic was breached by the flames, but fire did not extend beyond the two heavily burned units. Smoke and water damage rendered four additional apartments inhabitable this evening.
The Red Cross responded and is working with twelve displaced residents.
One tenant was treated on scene for smoke inhalation but did not require additional medical care. A firefighter sustained a badly twisted ankle.
The daytime nature of this blaze likely played a role in residents successfully escaping the fire. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue reminds you of the need for a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area, and for maximum protection, one in every bedroom. Replace alarms that are over ten years old with newer alarms that have a "hush" feature. The hush feature is a button that allows you to silence the alarm without disabling it. The alarm will reset automatically after a set time period allowing you to clear out cooking fumes or shower steam. For more fire prevention information, visit www.tvfr.com.
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