Unattended tea lights on a Halloween porch display sparked a house fire in Aloha on Monday, Oct. 19, sending two residents fleeing and killing two pet birds.
The fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. on the 2000 block of Southwest 192nd Avenue, according to a blaze first reported by KGW. Homeowner Naomi Slater told the station she had forgotten to blow out the tea lights before going to bed. She woke to the glow of flames outside her window, not to smoke alarms.
"No smoke alarms had gone off because the fire was outside," Slater told KGW.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) crews arrived to find fire on the front porch, with flames beginning to move inside, KPTV reported. Slater said crews contained the blaze within about 30 minutes. Burn damage hit the porch and a small portion of the interior. She also reported water damage to an upstairs closet and the basement.
Slater and her fiancée escaped with their two corgis. They later retrieved cats and reptiles from the home. Two parakeets did not survive. They died from smoke inhalation.
TVF&R public information officer Stefan Myers said fires that start outside a home pose a particular danger because occupants may not realize they are at risk. The agency is urging residents to never leave candles or other open flames unattended, to keep at least 3 feet of clearance around them and to switch to battery-powered candles for holiday decorations.
The home, known in the neighborhood as the "Pink House," is Slater's first home and a local fixture recognized for its vibrant holiday decorations, according to KPTV. Slater lost several antique items she had thrifted or refurbished. Rebuilding could take six months, KPTV reported.
TVF&R serves Bethany, Cedar Mill, Oak Hills and surrounding unincorporated Washington County communities. With Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31, the agency is urging residents to swap real flames for LED alternatives.
Residents can report fire hazards or request safety information by contacting TVF&R at (503) 649-8577.
