At 6:55pm on Wednesday November 6th, Cornelius Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 300 block of S Alpine Street in Cornelius. Crews arrived at 7pm to find a small detached structure fully engulfed in flames with reports of a family member asleep inside. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, preventing flames from spreading to neighboring structures. While firefighters were searching the inside of the structure they found an adult occupant and attempted a rescue. It was determined that the adult individual had succumbed to fire conditions and was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Fire investigators from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue as well as the Washington County Sheriff Office are working on a cause to the fire. The structure was not equipped with working smoke alarms. At time of release we are withholding the name, gender and age of the occupant.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual that lost their life.
Cornelius Fire Department was assisted on scene by Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Gaston Fire District, Washington County Sheriffs Office, Forest Grove Police Department and American Medical Response.
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