Update: Friday April 27 7:20 pm
Cole County Asst. Fire Chief Mike Rackers says the fire started in the laundry room near the dryer. It traveled up the walls and into the attic before coming out the heating and cooling vents triggering smoke alarms in the home. They went off in time to save the Birdno family and the family pets, but not in time to save the structure. Damage is estimated at $750,000 for the 8,000 square foot home.
Rackers adds the winds were the biggest problem but the Eugene water supply was also not sufficient for fighting a fire of that size.
Original story:
The smoke, coming from a fire that destroyed a family's dream home, could be seen for miles.
John Birdno watched as fire ravaged the house where his parents lived.
"I can't believe it's gone," he said.
Crews got the call at 10:17 this morning. When the first firefighters arrived, flames were already shooting through the roof.
Birdno said, "(I'm) glad my parents made it out okay . . . Glad everyone is okay."
But a beautiful home and many of its contents weren't as fortunate. Birdno said many pieces of artwork were in the house.
Four fire departments worked to control the blaze, with high winds and a lack of water hindering their efforts.
Firefighters had to call in tanker support and stayed on the scene for most of the day to completely extinguish the fire.
As for the family, they're confident in their next move.
"We will absolutely rebuild," Birdno said.
Firefighters told KRCG 13 that no damage estimate or cause has been determined.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG