A fire in Tualatin Community Park reportedly started in a trash can before spreading to the park’s Rustic Shelter and causing substantial damage.
According to a statement from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) on Facebook, crews quickly knocked down the fire after responding to the scene on Sunday evening, Jan. 25.
“At approximately 6:30 p.m. this evening, TVF&R crews responded to reports of a fire at Tualatin City Park,” reads the statement. “Upon arrival, firefighters found the Rustic Shelter picnic structure actively burning and well involved, with the apparent source originating from a nearby trash can.”
The shaded picnic structure is located near the Tualatin River on the northeast side of the park and frequently hosted family events. The fire damaged the roof of the shelter but didn’t spread past the boundaries of the picnic area because of the quick response, according to TVF&R.
Firefighters reported no injuries and said they were still investigating the cause of the fire as of Jan. 26.
“The cause is still under investigation,” TVF&R Public Information Officer Jacob Fuhrer told Tualatin Life. “Firefighters got there before it got to anything nearby.”
The agency’s Facebook post received many comments of concern from users, with some sharing memories of the structure and thanking TVF&R for their speedy response.
“Oh no…..this is where my son had his birthday party one year. Ugh that’s horrible news,” one commenter said.
“This is sad to see in our town,” another user commented.
Fuhrer said TVF&R would continue the investigation, talking with witnesses to determine the cause.
