An accidental fire claimed the life of a woman in Portland on Dec. 3.
Units were dispatched to a house fire on SE Rhone Court around 7:45 a.m. and found smoke coming from the eaves of the roof.
As firefighters began searching the home and putting out the fire, they encountered two aggressive dogs. The dogs were contained and the fire was contained.
Residents who were in the basement of the home said they did not hear the first floor smoke alarm sound.
Portland Fire & Rescue arson investigators determined the fire started on the floor immediately outside of an operating fireplace. They believe combustibles were too close to the fireplace and ignited.
A disabled 76-year-old woman was unable to escape and perished.
