Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue called two alarms to get enough equipment and personnel to battle a fire at the Commons at Timber Creek Apartments in the 12000 block of Northwest Barnes Road in Cedar Mill.
Within six minutes, firefighters from Station 61 arrived to find heavy flames coming from the second and third-floor decks of two apartment units.
Firefighters began rendering emergency medical care to a man who was forced to jump from his third-story apartment to escape the fire. Metro West Ambulance paramedics quickly transported him to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The female occupant of the original fire unit sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.
Due to the volume of fire and size of the complex, the incident commander called for a second alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. Firefighters worked for 50 minutes to contain and extinguish the fire and spent another hour mopping up hot spots.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. It started on a second floor deck and might have started in a barbecue.
Due to fire, water and extensive smoke damage, 10 units within the 20-unit building are not habitable. Three children and 20 adults have been displaced as a result. Property management at the complex will assist in relocating the displaced residents in available units. American Red Cross will also assist with temporary housing and other essential needs.