Candle starts fire at senior residence

No one injured, residents displaced by water from sprinkler system

A fire started by a fallen candle at a retirement community in Troutdale injured no one but caused an estimated $50,000 in damage and displaced residents after the buildings sprinkler system turned on.

At 1:08 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Gresham firefighters were dispatched to Cherry Park Plaza, a senior living facility at 1323 S.W. Cherry Park Road, said Alyssa Roupp, spokeswoman at the Gresham fire department.

According to the fire report, a tenant had lit a candle on a table in her room to cover up the smell of wet dog.

The woman then used her electronic wheelchair to go to the kitchen.

Upon her return, the scooter bumped the end table.

The candle fell and set fire to a scarf and other garments hanging on the door.

Smoke from the fire activated the units sprinkler system, and the fire was put out before six engines, a fire truck and the battalion chief responded to the scene.

The woman was not injured, Roupp said.

There was smoke damage in the room, and her scarf and garments were damaged.

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Candle starts fire at senior residence