By Associated Press - Monday, December 26, 2016

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - A Christmas blaze heavily damaged the home of Pendleton’s city attorney.

The East Oregonian reports (https://is.gd/dajmbT ) the fire started shortly after 6 p.m. and quickly engulfed the third story. City Attorney Nancy Kerns and her husband Carter escaped along with an unknown number of guests.

Pendleton fire chief Mike Ciraulo said firefighters tried to attack the blaze from the inside but were forced to retreat. Emergency personnel sprayed the third floor from a ladder and outside lines, quelling the blaze enough for fire crews to re-enter.



The chief said the third floor was a total loss and the second floor sustained heavy water damage and light fire damage.

The city attorney watched the firefighters while draped in a blanket on a freezing night. She said: “Everyone’s safe and everyone’s OK.”

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Information from: East Oregonian, https://www.eastoregonian.com

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