By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

The Odell Fire Department handled its first recorded fatality fire on Saturday morning.

Fernando Ortiz, 38, was found dead in a bedroom of the burning cabin on AGA Road. The interior of the small structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived about 10:40 a.m. on April 11.

An autopsy on Monday revealed that Ortiz had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Sheriff Detective Gerry Tiffany.

The deceased man had been living in the rental unit with his brother, Alejandro Ortiz, who was unharmed by the flames. He declined lodging assistance from the Columbia Gorge Chapter of the American Red Cross and is now staying with friends in Odell.

“Based on the preliminary results of our investigation, it looks like the fire started in an electric component of the stereo console,” said Borton.

“But it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire due to the amount of destruction inside the home.”

He reached the point of origin determination after requesting, and receiving, assistance in an investigation from two experts. Deputy State Fire Marshal Ted Megert; and Oregon State Police Fire/Arson Detective Tom Hatch helped Borton comb through the debris on Saturday afternoon.

Borton said the fire did not appear to be the result of arson or foul-play, although an investigation is still underway.

Twelve volunteer firefighters from Odell will be debriefed on Wednesday evening about the fire fatality. Borton said the department has dealt with deceased victims of traffic accidents many times but never before to a structure fire involving a death.

In addition to the April 15 debriefing, the Odell firefighters have been offered a listening ear by Chaplain Ricky Walker and Dean Kinne, the critical incident management counselor.

“It is standard procedure to debrief after any major incident to make sure that everybody’s okay with how things were done at the scene,” said Borton.

“I think when a fatality is involved it is even more important that everyone have the opportunity to ask all of ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions that they may have.”

He said Mid-Valley Elementary School has also offered counseling for students who were acquainted with the Ortiz family.

Borton said a family living in an adjoining dwelling had to be evacuated, although firefighters prevented flames from reaching their residence. He said electric and water services to the site were shut down temporarily so the neighbors were provided with shelter by the Red Cross. 

It took Odell firefighters two hours to completely extinguish the blaze and sort through the rubble. They were assisted in those tasks by West Side, Pine Grove and Parkdale fire departments. An ambulance was provided by Hood River Fire Department in case a firefighter was injured, a situation that did not occur.

On Saturday morning, an employee at Hood River Supply, a nearby business, called 911 to report that smoke was billowing from the AGA Road home. Borton arrived at the rental unit about two minutes after dispatchers relayed that information. He had also been told that a person was possibly inside the burning structure.

“I tried to approach the building but was not able to because of the flames and smoke. So we immediately started suppression efforts,” he said.

“The fire had definitely been burning for some time before we got here.”

After ventilation holes were cut into the roof, allowing the smoke to escape, Borton said firefighters were able to see where the flames were concentrated inside the building. He said plenty of water was available to douse hot spots since three hydrants were located within a one-block radius of the home.

He said each room was searched as soon as it could be accessed. Ortiz’ body was discovered on the floor of a back bedroom. Anderson’s Tribute Center of Hood River was asked to take possession of the remains until the family could make burial arrangements.

Borton said, although the inside of the dwelling was heavily damaged by flames, the exterior of the structure is largely intact. He said firefighters could not find any evidence that smoke detectors had been installed on the premises.

“We don’t believe there were any and we talked to the brother and he said he didn’t believe there was,” said Borton.