MEDFORD, Ore. (Dec. 19, 2025) — Fire crews responded to a blaze at a vacant structure on the Biddle Road Wednesday evening, quickly extinguishing flames that produced heavy smoke but caused no reported injuries, Medford Fire Department officials said Thursday.
Smoke visible from eaves; fire knocked down quickly
At approximately 8:17pm, Wednesday evening, firefighters were dispatched to the 2200 block of Biddle Road on reports of a structure fire, according to department statements. Initial reports suggested possible involvement of the attic space; however, fire conditions merely allowed smoke to travel into the attic and become visible from roof eaves.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within a short time, officials said. The blaze was determined to have started in a large common area of the vacant building, where a mattress and other materials were burning and generating heavy smoke. There were no injuries to responders or bystanders.
Investigation limited by unsafe conditions
Fire officials said the structure had significant safety issues that limited their ability to fully investigate the cause. Power to the building was shut off as a precaution. Preliminary information gathered at the scene indicated the fire was intentionally set, though investigators were unable to conduct a thorough examination due to structural hazards.
Emergency responders and city officials have grown increasingly concerned about unauthorized occupancy at vacant properties and the safety risks they pose to both the community and firefighters.
Property declared unsafe; city seeks to secure site
The city has declared the building an unsafe structure and a public nuisance, prompting continued efforts to address unauthorized use and secure the site. Representatives associated with the property were on scene and were provided with recommendations for follow-up action with the property’s owner, Fortify Holdings.
Officials stressed that continued unauthorized use of vacant buildings creates ongoing safety challenges for first responders and residents alike, complicating monitoring, cleanup, and redevelopment efforts.
Fortify Holdings and motel purchases in Medford
Fortify Holdings, a Portland-based housing developer, owns a number of properties in the Medford area that were formerly motels and hotels. In the wake of the devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires, which destroyed thousands of homes in Jackson County, Fortify purchased multiple motel properties in Medford with plans to convert them into long-term housing options and apartments.
Under public-private partnerships involving the Oregon Department of Human Services and local nonprofits, the company has helped transform properties such as the former Americas Best Value Inn into a residential community known as The Jackson, comprising dozens of studio apartments. Priority for these units has been extended to wildfire survivors and other residents in need of affordable housing.
Fortify’s local investments also have included other motel acquisitions in Medford that have temporarily housed residents or are in various stages of conversion. City and community leaders have viewed these projects as part of broader efforts to address persistent housing shortages exacerbated by wildfire displacement and an already limited affordable housing supply.
Community concerns and future steps
City officials reiterated that securing vacant properties and mitigating unauthorized occupancy remain priorities, particularly as the community works to balance housing needs with safety and neighborhood stability. Follow-up actions with Fortify Holdings and other stakeholders are expected in the coming weeks as part of ongoing efforts to address risks associated with derelict structures.
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