Heat lamp cause of structure fire

Large explosions were reported in the fire's initial stages, and law enforcement evacuated nearby structures.

The first engine company arrived on scene three minutes and 25 seconds after receiving the dispatch. The engine officer reported a fully-involved structure and received reports of a potential victim. Crews engaged with the fire but large explosions, reports of a potential ammunition storage hazard and the fully-involved structure caused crews to focus suppression efforts from a defensive position and protect the exposed homes and property in the area. A drone was also deployed, according to The Dalles Police logs, which identified the residence owner as a weapons dealer.

One fire victim was found deceased at the scene. Their name is not released yet. 

The cause of the fire was determined to be the use of a heat lamp in the basement sleeping area of the structure, according to a joint investigation by Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, The Dalles City Police, Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon State Police.

An adjacent home had also caught fire, but crews were able to keep the damage to the neighboring home limited and habitable.

The response included 37 firefighters from our region: Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, Dallesport, Dufur, Mosier, Wy’East, Oregon Department of Forestry, The Dalles City Police, Wasco County Sheriff and Wasco County Emergency Management.