Photos: TVF&R
Firefighters from Station 62 in Aloha were returning to their station after completing a medical call when they noticed billowing black smoke in the distance Friday night.
911 dispatchers simultaneously got a report of a working house fire in the same vicinity of Almond Street.
The call was immediately upgraded to a first-alarm, dispatching the firefighters from the Aloha station and several other nearby fire stations.
Upon the crew's arrival on scene, the fire was rapidly spreading and flames had already made their way through the roof. Firefighters began aggressively attacking the fire and were able to extinguish the fire within ten minutes of being on scene.
One person was home at the time of the fire, along with the family dog and pet bird. The occupant was able to evacuate safely and unharmed. Unfortunately, the dog and bird perished in the fire. Due to extensive fire and smoke damage to the home, the occupant is displaced and will be staying with relatives.
Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.