COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — Flames and smoke pouring from a Cottage Grove motel early Thursday prompted officers on patrol to rush in and help tenants evacuate, but one person was later found dead.
The Cottage Grove Police Department said that on April 2, 2026, just after 2:30 a.m., officers were on patrol in the 1200 block of N. Highway 99 when they saw flames and smoke coming from the Relax Inn at 1030 N. Highway 99. Police said officers immediately notified South Lane 9-1-1 and responded to the scene, where they assisted tenants with evacuating their rooms.
South Lane Fire was dispatched, arrived at the motel and extinguished the fire, police said…