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Sweet Home Family Loses Home in Two-Alarm Fire

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/2 .. et-home-family-loses-home-in-two-alarm-fire.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, January 28th 2026 at 16:36 GMT by Fox 12 Oregon
      Locales: Oregon, UNITED STATES

SWEET HOME, Oregon - January 28th, 2026 - The Sweet Home community is reeling after a two-alarm fire completely destroyed a family's home on 13th Street late Tuesday evening. The blaze, which drew a significant response from multiple fire departments, has left a local family displaced and facing the enormous task of rebuilding their lives.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a fully involved structure fire, with flames visibly erupting from multiple points of the house. The rapid escalation prompted a call for additional resources, quickly upgrading the incident to a two-alarm fire. This brought in support from neighboring fire departments, including [potentially list departments - e.g., Lebanon Fire District, Albany Fire Department] to assist in containing the inferno.

Despite the tireless efforts of firefighters, the house was declared a total loss after several hours of battling the blaze. Thankfully, and most importantly, no injuries were reported. The family - whose names are currently being withheld pending notification of extended family - managed to escape the house unharmed, but tragically lost all of their possessions.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Investigators are meticulously combing through the debris, looking for any clues that might determine how the fire started. Preliminary assessments are underway, but a definitive cause has not yet been released. Officials are urging anyone with information related to the fire to come forward.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident highlights the critical importance of working smoke detectors. While it's too early to determine if functioning smoke detectors were present in the home, fire safety officials routinely emphasize that these devices are often the first line of defense in alerting residents to a fire, providing precious time to escape. The Sweet Home Fire Department offers free smoke detector installations and safety checks to residents, a program that has demonstrably saved lives in the past.

However, even with functioning smoke detectors, the devastation of a house fire can be overwhelming. The Sweet Home community has already begun to mobilize in support of the displaced family. The American Red Cross is on the ground providing immediate aid, including temporary shelter, food, and clothing. The response has been swift and generous, demonstrating the close-knit nature of this community.

Several local organizations are coordinating long-term support efforts. The Sweet Home Food Bank is accepting donations of non-perishable food items, and the local chapter of the Salvation Army is collecting clothing and household goods. A GoFundMe campaign has also been established to help the family cover expenses such as temporary housing, replacing essential items, and navigating the complex process of rebuilding. [Link to GoFundMe if available]. The Sweet Home School District is also involved, offering support to any children in the family who are students.

"The outpouring of support from the community has been incredible," said [Quote from local official - e.g., Mayor, Fire Chief, Red Cross representative]. "It's a testament to the spirit of Sweet Home. We will do everything we can to help this family get back on their feet."

Donations can be made directly to the American Red Cross, the Sweet Home Food Bank, or through the GoFundMe campaign. Organizers are also planning a community benefit event in the coming weeks to raise additional funds and awareness. Details about the event will be announced shortly. The community's continued support will be crucial in helping this family navigate the difficult road ahead and rebuild their lives from the ashes.