Authorities identify victims of Oregon motel fire

NEWPORT, Ore. – Authorities have identified the remains of four people who perished in a motel fire in Newport.

Newport Police Lt. Jason Malloy said Monday the bodies of 51-year-old Tammi Sue Hepner and 63-year-old Allen Arthur Hepner, both of Portland, were found under rubble on the first floor. They had been staying in room 221.

The bodies of 60-year-old Sandra Sue Shoemaker and 64-year-old Danny Keith Shoemaker, both of Springfield, were discovered deeper in the rubble. They had been staying in room 220.

The police say in a statement that rooms 220 and 221 were immediately engulfed in flames that blocked the exits.

Three other motel guests were treated for minor injuries and a fourth was taken to a burn center.

The fire started in room 103.

The cause is under investigation.