Baker City, Ore. – Today shortly after noon, Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper Brad Duncan of the Fish & Wildlife Division in Baker City, was patrolling in the town of Sumpter, southwest of Baker City, when he saw what appeared to be a vehicle on fire with three people standing nearby. One person was attempting to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but was not having any success. Senior Trooper Duncan told the people to get away from the now fully engulfed vehicle for their own safety. As he did so he noticed a large propane tank between the residence and the vehicle which he feared may explode.
Senior Trooper Duncan learned the residence was owned by an 81-year-old woman who was believed to still be inside the home. As the fire spread to the residence, Sr. Trooper Duncan and Firefighter David Stellman of the Sumpter Valley Fire Department went to the door to inquire and Senior Trooper Duncan went inside to look for the woman.
Shortly after entering the home, Senior Trooper Duncan located the woman and her son still inside the residence. The woman was seated in a chair and her son told Senior Trooper Duncan she was unable to stand or walk on her own. As smoke poured into the residence through the door and the house began to burn, Senior Trooper Duncan carried the woman out of the house and to his patrol vehicle. Later on, Sumpter Valley Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire.
During the investigation it was determined the fire was started while an occupant of the residence was working on the fuel system of a vehicle. Red Cross arrived to assist the occupants.
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