JOHN DAY A log home on Dog Creek Road, on the east edge of John Day, was engulfed by flames last Wednesday morning, Oct. 16.

Chief Ron Smith of the John Day Rural Fire Department said the home, owned by Darrell Hopper, was a complete loss.

Hopper, his wife, their son and daughter-in-law were home at the time of the fire and got out safely. There were no serious injuries, Smith said, although Hopper and his wife were taken to Blue Mountain Hospital, treated and released.

John Day Dispatch called firefighters to the scene about 10:20 a.m.

Responding to the incident with John Day fire crews were Canyon City and Prairie City fire crews, the Grant County Sheriffs Office, and Oregon State Police, who did traffic control.

Smith said the cause of the fire was a faulty woodstove chimney that had deteriorated over time, allowing some embers to escape through a small hole and onto the cedar shake roof.

Smith said the seven-bedroom, three-bath house had a vaulted ceiling with no attic space. He said the fire might have been burning for awhile that morning before it was detected as flames burned through the roof, directly into the house.

Family members became aware of the fire when embers began falling in the dining room.

Smith said there was no sign of any negligence, and the Blaze King woodstove in use was fairly new.

Smith said crews were able to save one heirloom treasure for the family: a rolltop desk given to a family member years ago by Joaquin Miller.

Miller, an American poet and the third Grant County judge, lived in Canyon City during the latter part of the 1880s.

Smith said they had to break down a wall to remove the desk which was in the basement and weighed 400 pounds.

The historical item sustained some damage, but should be able to be restored, Smith said.

I was tickled that we were able to save it, Smith said.

He was also glad there were no serious injuries.

When nobody is seriously hurt, thats always a good day for us, Smith said.

He said Hopper family members have all found temporary housing in the community.

An account has been set up at Old West Federal Credit Union in John Day to assist the family.

Kim Joslin and Jeanne Day are collecting clothing and other items for the family. For more information, contact Joslin at 541-620-1633, and Day at 541-575-0197.