Lawnmower Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Oregon Home

OREGON — A fire that began in a lawnmower inside a garage caused significant damage to a home on the 500 block of East Elizabeth Road Wednesday afternoon. The Oregon Fire Protection District was dispatched around 4:40 p.m. and arrived within minutes to find flames spreading into the attic and a third of the structure. The sole occupant and a dog escaped without injury, though a cat remains unaccounted for. Oregon firefighters were assisted by departments from Mount Morris, Franklin Grove, Lynn-Scott-Rock and Stillman Valley. Damage was estimated at $100,000, and the home was declared uninhabitable. The fire was considered accidental, and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced resident.