St. Helens, OR – Early morning fire at mental health treatment center extinguished by sprinkler system

Columbia River Fire and Rescue crews responded to a structure fire at Cornerstone, Columbia Community Mental Health’s residential treatment facility, on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 5:15 a.m. When crews arrived at 271 Columbia Blvd., smoke had filled the two-story building. A small fire had ignited on the first floor in a bedroom on the northwest corner in the bedding of one of the residents. The fire triggered the sprinkler head system in the building, extinguishing the flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

CRFR Fire Chief Jay Tappan said the sprinkler system worked as it was designed to, alerting residents when the system sounded. Two staff members and 16 residents evacuated the building during the fire and no injuries were reported. Tappan said staff at the facility followed emergency evacuation orders quickly, which likely helped prevent injuries.

Water damage to the building was estimated to be $25,000 for property and $15,000 for personal contents. Building residents were temporarily displaced and relocated to other facilities due to the damage and the need to reset the sprinkler system, Tappan explained.  Five fire engines, six support vehicles and 24 fire personnel were on scene.