Newport Fire Department was dispatched at 10:26 PM Saturday evening to a reported structure fire on the 600 block of SE 5th Street. The first arriving fire unit reported a three story residence with fire involved in two stories of the structure. The fire was being driven by strong winds and access was complicated by a steep hillside accessed above SE Bay Blvd. Eventually a combination of multiple ladder trucks from below and additional hand lines from above extinguished the fire. Firefighters were on scene until about 4:00 AM conducting mop-up operations.  Newport Fire Department responded with 3 fire engines, a 104’ ladder truck, a heavy rescue, several utility vehicles, and 17 personnel.

Toledo, Seal Rock and Depoe Bay Fire Departments responded to the scene each with an engine and crew. North Lincoln Fire responded with a ladder truck to the scene and Central Coast Fire Department provided an engine and crew for Newport coverage. Neighboring departments provided a total of 15 personnel to help fight this fire. Newport Police Department, Newport Public Works and Pacific West Ambulance assisted on scene.  The house itself was not occupied but some nearby structures were temporarily evacuated. The section of Bay Blvd directly below the home remains temporarily closed until the structure can be evaluated for collapse potential. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.