Woman, 64, dies in 2-alarm Aloha apartment fire
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 64-year-old woman died in a two-alarm apartment fire in Aloha Saturday afternoon that also damaged six other units.
The fire at the Cascade Woods apartment complex broke out around 2:30 p.m., authorities said. Crews from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue arrived near 18600 SE Mapleoak Lane and found heavy smoke and fire on the first floor of the three-story building, extending to the upper floor’s balconies.
A second-alarm was called, which brought crews from Hillsboro Fire and AMR to the scene.
The woman, Robin L. Wilkinson, was found on the first floor with severe injuries. Despite emergency treatment, she died at the scene, officials said.
Steven Stoye, a neighbor who spoke with KOIN 6 News said Wilkinson banged on their door to alert their special needs son of the fire. Then she rushed back into her burning unit.
"She had some concern for him because she rapped on the door, knocked really hard," Stoye said. "And then proceeded to go back to her unit. Why? Why?"
He said he saw "the firefighters working on her for a long time to try to revive her."
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
A detective from the Washington County Sheriff's Violent Crimes Unit is working alongside fire investigators from TVFR, "as is standard whenever somebody passes during a fire incident," said TVFR's Stefan Myers.
In a release, officials said the investigation "is in its early stages and at this time it is unknown whether any crimes are involved."
All other residents were able to safely evacuate. Five families were displaced and are getting help from the Red Cross.
"This is a very traumatic experience, whether all the fire happens to be in your residence or in a residence that is very near in proximity to yours," said Red Cross volunteer Roman Perez.
Stoye said he was still in a bit of shock about losing his friend and neighbor.
"I just pray that the Lord has mercy on her soul."