October 5, 2011

5:57 PM

At 4:35 pm four workers at Veterans Hospital were working in the Administration and Research Building located at 3710 SW Veterans Hospital Road. One of four workers opened an envelope and discovered that it contained a white powdery substance. The workers began experiencing symptoms of burning on their skin around the face, mouth, eyes and hands.

Workers immediately contacted security to come and assist. Portland Fire & Rescue was called and responded to the scene. Firefighters have isolated the four workers who were exposed to the contents of the envelope, as well as the two security personnel who responded and also experienced symptoms. They are currently going through a decontamination process. HazMat firefighters are also working to determine the contents of the package.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

A Public Information Officer is currently on scene. Media staging is at SW 6th and SW Gaines.

Photos by Photographer Greg Muhr, Portland Fire & Rescue.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 October 5, 2011

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UPDATED FIRE CAUSE & DAMAGE ESTIMATE

October 10, 2011

2:25 PM

Portland Fire Investigators have determined that the 2-alarm apartment fire on October 6, 2011 at 4605NE Killingsworthwas accidental.  The fire was caused by an unattended pan left on top of a stove in a ground floor unit that caught fire and spread to surrounding units.  This fire resulted in the death of one tenant in an upstairs unit, and required two other tenants to jump from upper story windows to escape the fire.

Investigators have also determined that the fire caused approximately $250,000 damage to the apartment building.

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UPDATED INFORMATION & PHOTOS

October 6, 2011

1:21 PM

At 10:49 am, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of heavy flame and smoke billowing from a ground floor apartment unit at 4605NE Killingsworth- the Normandy Apartments.  When crews arrived, they found that the open stairwell leading to four units was fully involved in flames.   

Public Information Officer Anthony Schaffer arrived on the scene shortly after the fire broke out.  "I noticed two victims that had jumped from the second story sitting on the curb with obvious injuries.  We directed resources immediately to attend to the victims and called for a second alarm on this fire.  The number one priority on any fire is life safety."

Due to the severity of the incident, commanders called for a 2nd alarm at 11:01 am.  Firefighters extinguished the flames in the stairwell and made entry into the second story units.  While performing a search of the second floor, firefighters encountered a fire victim who was deceased.  The flames continued in intensity and firefighters engaged in aggressive suppression operations.

Additional firefighters and resources arrived.  Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire, which was engulfing three of the four units.  The fire was brought under control and recalled at 11:42 am.  Firefighters remain on scene with Fire Investigators working to extinguish hot spots and investigate the fire's cause.  The Oregon Chapter of the American Red Cross has been called in to assist with finding alternate housing for the individuals impacted by the fire.  Approximately 50 firefighters responded.

Firefighters on scene assessed and treated the victims.  Both were transported toEmanuelHospitalwith non-life threatening injuries.

Firefighters were able to quickly access the fire units and respond because fire lanes were kept clear for fire apparatus and personnel.   

Pictures courtesy of Public Information Officer Anthony Schaffer.

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October 6, 2011

11:07 AM

Portland Fire & Rescue is responding to a 2nd alarm apartment fire at 4609 NE Killingsworth - the Normandy Apartments. Media staging will be at NE 46th & NE Killingsworth. A Public Information Officer is on scene.

Updates to follow.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 October 6, 2011

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Firefighters Rashaan Clark, Trevor Woods, Aaron House, Joel Wilks, and Jeff Tacheny

The World Police & Fire Games, currently the second largest multi-sport event in the world surpassed only by the Summer Olympics, took place inNew York Cityfrom August 26 through September 5.  Nearly 20,000 full time firefighters and law enforcement personnel from 70 different countries descended on the city that never sleeps to compete in 69 sports.

Among those were Portland Fire Station 8 Firefighters Joel Wilks, Rashaan Clark, Aaron House, Jeff Tacheny, and Trevor Woods, who competed in the Men's 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.  The team's opponents haled fromBarcelona,Hong Kongand NYFD.  Firefighter Joel Wilks recounts that they won each game by 15 - 25 points until they faced off in the championship gold medal game with an NYFD team fromHarlem.  The game was extremely close with PF&R achieving two key defensive stops on their last possession to secure the victory and win the gold medal.

Making the victory that much more special was the fact that the eleven days of sports competition and specially planned events in this year's games respectfully coincided with the ten year remembrance of September 11, 2001.

Portland Fire & Rescue is proud of our team's victory! 

Congratulations Firefighters Joel, Rashaan, Aaron, Jeff, and Trevor!

You can read more about the World Police & Fire Games and view results of the competition at:  http://2011wpfg.org/.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 October 6, 2011

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 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 October 7, 2011

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