Blaze in North Corvallis: “Almost Homeless Handyman” Victor Hettinger’s RV home destroyed in July 22 fire

July 22, 2016

The “Almost Homeless Handyman” Victor Hettinger is homeless once again after a fire consumed his RV.

Victor Hettinger and his dog Sasha outside the wreckage of their home.
Photo by Emily Goodykoontz

On July 22, around 5:40 p.m. the fire was reported by a person on the scene, according to Corvallis Police Sgt. Ryan Eaton. The caller said Hettinger had been working on his RV and attempting to start it when the blaze sparked.

Hettinger was parked in a lot behind Wilco in North Corvallis, adjacent to the train tracks off of Northeast Four Acre Place. According to Hettinger, he must relocate his RV every two days to remain lawfully parked.

“I was trying to leave and it backfired,” said Hettinger. “I wasted two fire extinguishers and I realized it was an oil fire I couldn’t stop.”

The Corvallis Fire Department’s Engine 133 was the first of two trucks on the scene. After confirming no one was inside, they quelled the motorhome fire with foam retardant.

But a warm wind was coming from the north and the fire had quickly spread to the surrounding field.

“The concern was the brush along the railroad tracks,” said Battalion Chief Dan Wehrman.

As soon as Engine 131 arrived on the scene, its crew connected the hose to the fire hydrant and blasted the grass fire and surrounding brush with water, first containing the spread and extinguishing the fire.

Just across Northeast Four Acre Place from the edge of the burnt field is the Home Depot garden area. Wehrman was pleased the blaze did not spread any further.

Though the sudden fire did not cause extensive damage to the surrounding area, Hettinger suffered great loss.

He first rescued his dog, Sasha, from inside the vehicle, but was unable to grab his most important items. Hettinger’s cell phone, wallet, money and most other belongings were destroyed.

Hettinger is an unusual sort of handyman, and takes odd jobs around Corvallis. He’s a Corvallis character who can often be seen parked around the town with a sign reading “Almost Homeless Handyman for Hire.”

Over the last eight years Hettinger improved his circumstances from homelessness, starting with a bicycle and working his way up to an RV.

“I put $2,000 into that RV in the last year,” said Hettinger. “It was almost set to live off the grid.”

He’d installed solar panels and a solar-powered hot water system.

Hettinger shook his head.

“I’ll slowly go crazy, I guess,” he said, digesting the extensive damage.

Hettinger continued to survey the wreckage, finding his cast iron pans and a few coins in the dirt and ash. Sasha the dog sniffed the blackened ground, staying close to the wreckage of her home.

“God works in mysterious ways. Who knows? Maybe there’s a reason for this,” said Hettinger.