Baker City home heavily damaged from basement fire. Investigation ongoing

BAKER CITY — (Press Release from the Baker City Fire Department) At approximately 10:31 pm last night (January 22, 2026), the Baker City Fire Department was dispatched to smoke and possible fire inside a home in the 2300 block of East St in Baker City with two residents possibly inside. Upon arrival of Engine 2432 the initial report was smoke showing and requested a General Alarm, which alerted all off-duty firefighters and Paid-Part-Time firefighters to return to the station for manpower for a working structure fire. 2401 responded to the scene as well. While enroute, 2401 requested mutual aid from Baker Rural Fire District. 

Upon arrival of 2401, 2432 was removing a patient from the residence and placed onto an awaiting stretcher for immediate transport to the hospital. The patients’ condition was unknown at that time. Pioneer Ambulance transported the patient to the hospital. The second patient was found outside the residence upon arrival of 2401. Pioneer returned to the scene and transported the second patient to the hospital. The second patient was evaluated and released from the hospital. Extent of the injuries on the second patient was not known.

2401 established East Street Command and reported fire coming out of the basement on the “B” side of the structure. 2432 was designated as fire attack. Shortly after arrival of 2401, the Baker County Sheriff’s Dispatch updated 2401 that there was approximately 1,000 lbs of ammunition located inside the structure. All units on the fireground were notified of this information. 2401 requested a “second alarm” for additional manpower. 

The Incident Commander requested a fire investigator to the scene, as the initial investigation could not be immediately determined due to the significant damage caused by the fire. The Deputy Fire Marshal from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office for the area was notified and conducted a further scene investigation.

When the fire was extinguished and overhaul was completed, all units were released from the scene and returned to quarters. Damage to the residence was extensive and the Red Cross was notified to assist the residents who were displaced. Initial damage cost was unknown at the present time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

2401 remained on scene throughout the night to provide fire watch throughout the night and continue the chain of custody until arrival from the Fire Marshal’s office. Throughout the night some of the resident cats were noticed walking around the outside of the house but ran away when they were approached and remain at large currently.

Baker City Fire was assisted by units from Baker Rural Fire District, North Powder Fire Department, 2201 from Keating Fire Department and Haines Rural Fire District. In total, approximately 20 firefighters arriving in 8 apparatus, approximately 3 1/2 hours to extinguish the fire. The firefighter was made difficult due to the balloon-frame construction of the house, which allowed the fire to spread from the basement into the attic. 

Michael S Carlson

Baker City Fire Department

(541) 523-3711

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