Monday, February 9, 2009

Fireman spots house on fire
Warrenton Fire Department responds to blaze Thursday; extensive damage done to home

The Daily Astorian

WARRENTON - Being in the right place at the right time came naturally to John Shepherd, a captain in the Warrenton Fire Department.

As he drove by a house at 1211 N.W. Warrenton Drive Thursday at 3:20 p.m., he noticed smoke.

He immediately radioed for help - right at the same time a neighbor was calling 9-1-1.

More than a dozen firefighters responded, but it took about three hours to put out the fire and clear the scene.

The fire did extensive damage to the house, which is owned by Deone Lahodny and occupied by her mother and stepfather, Linda and Paul Selvy Sr.

Paul Selvy was the only one home when the fire started. He escaped uninjured, but the family's three cats died, according to Shepherd.

Shepherd happened to be driving by the small one-story structure when he saw smoke. He said Selvy was unable to call 9-1-1 because the only phone was in the front bedroom where the fire started.

According to a witness, Lahodny bought the house about a year ago and had been renovating it. New appliances and furniture were destroyed.

Warrenton Fire Chief Ted Ames said more than a dozen firefighters responded and were on scene for about three hours. During that time, Warrenton police assisted by closing the road, and people traveling between Warrenton and Hammond had to take a lengthy detour as a result.

Pacific Power also responded to the fire to turn off the electricity to the house.

Ames said the small one-story house sustained extensive fire and smoke damage and may be a total loss.

The county's fire investigation team is meeting today to determine the cause of the blaze.

3 comments:

CatsDigMe said...

Should add - Deonne is Lissa's sister. The house is in her name but she doesn't live there. Lissa and her parents are the ones who lost everything.

Jacq said...

That is horrible! Is there a fund to help her out?

CatsDigMe said...

No fund, but she has had so many people helping that it is actually driving her crazy. between the red cross, the church, and the general population of the county she hasnt had a moments peace in the last week. although she really appreciates all the help