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McMinnville fire displaces residents
NOTE: This article was updated with content from Wednesday's print edition of the News-Register.
A fire that broke out late Halloween night gutted a McMinnville four-plex, displacing 14 members of four local families.
The blaze was reported a few minutes before midnight Saturday at 503 S.E. Davis St. About 25 firefighters responded to the call with six pieces of equipment.
The first responders reported heavy flames and smoke coming from the front of the structure. They sounded a mutual aid call for assistance from the Amity and Carlton fire districts.
"It was an old house chunked into a four-plex," McMinnville Fire Marshal Eric McMullen said. "It was an old structure, and as old structures go, it had been remodeled and renovated. These buildings make for lots of interesting places where fire can get into.
"You chase it around, through walls and into the ceiling," McMullen said. "There was a lot of fire when the first firefighters showed up. The fire was concentrated toward the front of the structure. There was fire blowing out of the front windows."
A lower and upper unit in front sustained heavy fire, smoke and water damage. The other units were also damaged, but not as badly. The Yamhill County Fire Investigation Team responded, but could not immediately determine a cause.
Each of the two first-floor units housed a couple. The couple in the front unit, where the fire started, were not home. Between them, the two upstairs units house 10 people.
The Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting with clothing, food and shelter.
McMullen estimated damage to the building at $250,000 and to the contents at $20,000. He said owner Delane Smith of McMinnville had insurance on the building, but none of his tenants carried insurance on their belongings.
"It's a common theme," he said. He said renter's insurance only runs about $12 a month, which he termed "not that much."
"That's two mochas or a couple of trips to McDonald's," McMullen said. "We always recommend renter's insurance."
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Thu, 12/03/2009 - 3:03am - Posted by: Simondale88
Thanks for writing about this!
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:11pm - Posted by: darth_r8r
Hey what happened 2 the FOLLOW UP STORY..A CHICKEN COOP?...THIS STORY HAS BEEN ERASED
Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:07pm - Posted by: justmyopinion
WOW AND AGAIN I JUST NEED TO SAY WOW! all this fighting over stuff that is not even valid... really after reading a devastating article such as this it should not be who we gotta attack, it should be where can we all set up a place to get together and get clothes, blankets,coats,clothes,toys,shoes,and the nescesitties to help these families rebuild there lives....and for the person who said the owner suffered,,,, no sorry not really, he will be collecting alot of insurance money to either pocket or rebuild... he dont matter, he is not displaced from his home... the only people who matter are the ones who are now displaced just a few weeks before thanksgiving and like 2 months before christmas..... so instead of everyone fighting maybe some way some how we could all agree to get together and maybe set up somewhere in a parking lot with big signs an advertisement for people to bring items such as clothes in all sizes,coats,bathroom items,food,shoes,blankets, toys, and stuff lie that to donate to give to these families.. i have a few friends who are family to one of the displaced families and it is sad cause the children are handicapped.. so anyway i guess what i am trying to say is lets pull together and help them out instead of wasting are time fighting..i will check on this post an see if any of you want to, then we could set a time and meet and arrange it... i am sure we could get one of the churches to help us do it... oh and hello j.jasman
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 11:25am - Posted by: MsTeresa
Jimmmmmy Jasman wow its been so long since i seen or heard your name.....as for the whereabouts of Wally I can find out...i'll just ask his brother i see him all the time...i will definitly pass this on *_* hope everything is going well for you brother..take care!
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 9:46pm - Posted by: TaraS
Darth- you need to stop, unless you know the WHOLE story!
I live at this appartment complex. So I know that the landlord is NOT a slum lord. He is a decent guy. He has more than once, loaned money to one of his renters, when they needed help, he has donated to school activities of the children living there, he lets some of his renters do work (yard work, painting, cleaning etc) to help them with their rent. He is a good and decent man!
As for too many people living in the 4 plex... no not really. I know one family well, and familiar with the other 3 families.
The first picture, shows only about half of the front of the 4-plex. The unit, is considerably bigger and yes 14 people staying there spread out into 4 different units, really isn't too much.
The fire was bad enough to those who lost everything, for the owner, and for the other residents who watched it for nearly 4 hours. And to turn this all on the owner like he is somehow to blame because he "had to many people living there" is stupid.
I also wanted to add, that the First Baptist Church imediately jumped in to help one of the families, in less then 12 hours, they were willing and helping.
I am helping as well with what I can for one of the families, and I know many others are helping as well. The people who lost their homes that night are well loved and getting alot of help, and support from many people. Not just the Red Cross.
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 8:23pm - Posted by: momof4
Darth..if it is a 4 plex then that means 14 people may not be too much. The article does not state how many rooms each unit has. Nothing in this article implies the owner is a slum lord. You should also keep in mind 2 other facts one is that there is only 1 picture of the outside so you can't even see how big the whole unit is. Second fact is people many times allow others to move in with out notifying landlords. Jumping to conclusions about the owner of this place is uncalled for.
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 7:52pm - Posted by: darth_r8r
The owner obviously has WAY 2 MANY FAMILYS living under 1 roof and thus the bigger chance of a fire..what im saying is he shouldnt of let so many people live under one roof..I think hes a slum lord..I read the article and understood it..I was stating my own opinion..you people will get over it.." A fire that broke out late Halloween night gutted a McMinnville four-plex, displacing 14 members of four local families."..now does this house look like 4 familys @ 14 people should live here?...SERIOUSLY? A 4 PLEX?...
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 4:02pm - Posted by: oregonatve72
"Wed, 11/04/2009 - 10:40pm - Posted by: darth_r8rMAYBE THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE OFFERED A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE OTHER THAN McDONALDS MOCHAS..SCUMBAG"
Woah there guy! Actually read the article, would you? Maybe you need to increase your Adderall, or drink less coffee. In all seriousness, calling someone a "scumbag" when you fail to even read part of the article is ridiculous.
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 1:24pm - Posted by: Megmaa
Darth...I know it is difficult to read the News Resister's articles...but the owner didn't make the comment the Fire Marshall did....sad.....the people that live in these units are noramlly very low income families trying to get by.
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:37am - Posted by: macresident001
hey darth_r8r,
Th3e land lord was saying that renter's insurance doesnt cost any more than going to get a mocha a couple times a month or going to mcdonalds a few times!!!!....I love how you always take the time to (not) read the story and completely understand it before you make an a$$ out of yourself!
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:40pm - Posted by: darth_r8r
MAYBE THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE OFFERED A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE OTHER THAN McDONALDS MOCHAS..SCUMBAG
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:35pm - Posted by: darth_r8r
JJasman..I am also a friend of Wallys..do u know if hes ok?..does he need a place to go?
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:23pm - Posted by: jjasman
Wally Sanchez lived at this residence......we've been friends for a lot of years.
i live in Northbend, on the coast ....been trying to reach him with no success.
i have a room at my residence for him until he gets things back in order.....one of you readers please pass it on to him to contact James Jasman, he has my phone number.
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 4:14pm - Posted by: DG
First Baptist Church immediately responded because one of the families is actively involved in the life of the church. FBC also extended assistance to another family affected by the fire. I'm sure there are others who are quietly helping, and maybe others will speak up in this forum.
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 10:01pm - Posted by: darth_r8r
Well alot of people who read this paper always ask 4 a real story?..HERES ONE..are there any local County or Religious Entitys that can help these familys ?...this is tragic ..this is when a community should come together and help their neighbor ..I for one hope there is a follow up on this story..why is it that the Red Cross is always first to help?..Im not upset ..jus a lil confused..Cheers