This is the raw media recap of a two-alarm fire that started inside Import Parts Center, located in NW Medford, around 11:20a on 11/13/2022.You see, what we see.
Medford Alert was first on scene as the smoke began to billow from the front of the building at 2295 N. Pacific Hwy. It was a chaotic scene as workers tried to hose down the flames prior to emergency personnel arriving.Medford Police (MPD) arrived first and immediately instructed the workers to leave the area. The flames were now lapping up the front of the structure. Seconds after everyone left the area in front of the building, a power cable caught on fire, sparked, and fell to the ground. Medford Fire units began to arrive as police started closing down the highway.One Medford Firefighter immediately began attacking the front area of the structure fire, this would be the north side of the structure. Two more Medford Fire engine were also now arriving.After the initial three Medford Fire engines arrived, a second alarm callout was activated. It brought in more Medford Fire units, along with Jackson County Fire District 3, Jacksonville Fire, and Jackson County Fire District 5 personnel.Firefighters were concerned that this fire may spread to nearby buildings. The structure on fire was very close to other tightly packed buildings in neighboring businesses.Several firefighter teams attacked different areas of the structure fire simultaneously. This group protected the businesses to the south and also fought the structure fire from the west.Pacific Power also sent two units to assist with power shutoffs and damaged lines from the fire.One of the most important reasons Police closed the highway was due to the amount of water firefighters needed to combat this incident. Fire crews had several hoses stretched across the five lanes of North Pacific Hwy as they accessed fire hydrants across from the structure fire.A coordinated, multi-agency approach allowed firefighters to access different areas surrounding the burning structure to get the incident under control quicker. All the while, Police insured they would not be interrupted while power crews did their part to keep the firefighters safe from live wires.A Medford Fire ladder unit kept an eye over the firefight below.As the fire was contained, some crews began pulling out debris to allow access for other firefighter to take care of hot spots. Medford Fire command released a Jackson County Fire District 3 engine as the firefight was winding down.Medford Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to search for hot spots inside the building. The highway was closed for about 2 1/2 hours in total. crews were on scene for approximately 4 hours before eventually all being cleared.This is the look at the building later Sunday evening after all had cleared. The building is currently heavily damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a worker told Medford Alert welding was taking place inside the garage just prior to the fire igniting. There were no reported firefighter or civilian injuries. No nearby businesses were damaged.
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