A dog and a bird died in a home fire Thursday morning in Banks, while a family cat, expecting kittens, was saved along with several other pets.
According to the Banks Fire District, firefighters responded to a two-story residential fire at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, May 15 on Depot Street and Main Street.
A resident of the home was in the yard tending to her animals and noticed smoke, Banks Fire said.
“Investigating the source, she rounded the corner and saw visible flames on the exterior of the house,” said Banks Fire Public Information Officer Mitch Ward.
Running back inside the house, the woman found flames inside a bedroom where a family member was sleeping.
“She got everyone out of the house safely and called 911,” Ward said.
Arriving on the scene, fire crews found flames on the exterior of the home, with the fire having already spread into the home’s attic and interior.
“The fire was extinguished, but unfortunately the family dog and a pet bird perished in the fire,” Ward said.
A pregnant cat and several other cats were saved and taken to Banks Veterinary Service where they were evaluated and treated.
“Banks Fire would like to reiterate the importance of smoke alarms in every bedroom of the home to give one as much advance notice as possible in the event of a house fire,” Ward said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Also assisting on the call were Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue out of North Plains, AMR, NW Natural, and Portland General Electric.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
