PHOTOS: Fire destroys $1 million home, half-acre of land

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A $1 million home was destroyed in Banks on Monday after a fire broke out at the residence shortly before 8 p.m. on Hartwick Road.

Firefighters with Banks Fire District 13, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, the Gaston Fire District and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue all responded to the fire. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and paramedics were also called to the fire as a precaution.

Banks Fire District 13 spokesperson Mitch Ward told KOIN 6 News that the three-story home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene. The homeowners were away at the time of the fire and no people were injured.

One cat was rescued from the burning home and another is considered missing. The rescued cat was placed in an oxygen chamber for smoke inhalation and is expected to survive.

“One of two cats was rescued and taken to the ER vet via Washington County Sheriff’s deputies,” Ward said. “The second cat [is] unaccounted for. The dog, originally unaccounted for, is safe in a boarding kennel as the homeowners were away at the time.”

The fire also burned half an acre of land near the rural Washington County home. Water tenders were needed to get water to the scene and firefighters extinguished the flames within 90 minutes of arriving on scene.

“Though no one was home at the time when this fire started, we do want to remind people that smoke alarms save lives,” Ward said. “Had the residents been home at the time and asleep, smoke alarms would have alerted them of the fire. We recommend smoke alarms in every bedroom and on each level of your home.”