A 911 call was received late Thursday afternoon, July 17th, regarding a report of a fire on Board Shanty Creek Road south of Grants Pass just after 5:00pm.
Personnel from local fire departments including Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, Rogue Valley Fire wildland firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
First responding firefighters located a burning house as well as RV’s and vehicles upon arrival as the fire began to spread into nearby wildland.
On Friday, July 18th, fire personnel and Sheriff’s Deputies located what was believed to be human remains within the fire scene. Due to the unknown circumstances of this incident, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded and personnel to assist in the recovery of the suspected human remains.
After deputies worked with crime lab personnel as well as the State Medical Examiner’s Office and the State of Oregon Fire Marshal as well as the Oregon State Police also assisted with local investigators including an arson investigator, it is believed that the remains of one adult were located within the burnt residence that was a total loss due to the fire.
During the initial investigation, Deputies learned that a female who lived at the original fire scene was missing and could not be located by friends. The remains found in the residence that burned are believed to be those of the missing female, Sarah Caron. Confirmation cannot be made until further DNA testing is complete. Caron’s family has been advised.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation as is the identity of the remains located by investigators. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office will also attempt to determine cause of death for the remains located; however, it may be difficult due to conditions caused by the fire.
The residence where the fire started is the only residence lost in this incident. The Sheriff’s Office is not aware of any other persons being unaccounted for in regard to this incident.
Many aspects of this incident are still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
