Aircraft parts, museum displays valued at more than $20 million lost in Oregon fire

Posted by Courtney E. HowardMCMINNVILLE, Ore., 2 Aug. 2011.Aircraft parts and future aircraftmuseum displays, with an estimated value of more than $20 million, were lost in a fire last week in Oregon. McMinnville Fire Department in McMinnville, Ore., responded to a structure fire reported in a local storage facility at 7:41pm in the evening on Thurs., July 28. Units from five mutual aid departments assisted with the response.

The first units arrived to find a 600- by 100-foot, retrofitted agricultural building engulfed in flame. All efforts were aimed at preventing the spread of the fire to the adjacent buildings, also used for storage. Hindering fire department efforts to extinguish the fire, several 55-gallon drums ruptured, producing fireballs that could be seen from miles away.

A Yamhill County Fire Investigation Team is conducting a fire investigation. Initial estimates indicate a loss in excess of $20 million. Local history and aviation enthusiasts are lamenting what is being called “a tragic loss” for all.