Explosion, fire under investigation in Oakridge neighborhood; quick response spares nearby homes

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — A loud explosion rocked the Hills Street neighborhood of Oakridge Wednesday morning and ignited a fire that heavily damaged a house on Y Drive behind the Church of the Nazarene.

The Oakridge Fire Department, still investigating the blaze Thursday, responded immediately and had the blaze controlled within 30 minutes. Neighbors and others in the area said they heard the blast at about 9:30 a.m. and saw thick black smoke billowing from the residence almost immediately.

Investigators have not disclosed a cause for the explosion and fire.

The plume was visible from most of the community. Traffic on Hills Street was temporarily blocked as emergency services responded. Besides the Oakridge Fire and EMS, responders included the Oakridge Police Department, Oregon State Police and the Dexter Rural Fire Protection District.

No injuries have been reported.

Oakridge resident Keith Dailey, who was in the neighborhood assisting a friend at the time of the explosion, said his first thought was that it involved fireworks. But as soon as the smoke rose from the residence on Y Drive, he said he realized it must have been something else.

At least two residents of the neighborhood could be seen watering down their yards with garden hoses.

Though trees and thick foliage surrounded the burning structure, the quick response by Oakridge Fire and EMS, including several volunteer firefighters, spared the neighborhood from possible disaster.