UPDATED INFORMATION WITH FIRE CAUSE, DAMAGE ESTIMATES and PHOTOS

October 18, 2011

11:26 am

Portland Fire & Rescue Investigators have determined the cause of the fire to be smokers carelessness. The value of the structure is estimated to be $90,000 and the loss due to fire damage is $50,000.

One significant factor in the rapid rate of spread and intensity of this fire was that the home was undergoing a complete remodel. When walls are no longer protected by drywall or plaster, fire can travel quickly to every part of a structure through void spaces and can quickly consume entire home. Compounding this are the exposed flammable structural members which are normally shielded from fire and heat by finished wall. Portland Fire & Rescue recommends taking additional precautions when your home is being remodeled such as maintaining working smoke detectors throughout the duration of the project.

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October 18, 2011

7:02 AM

At around 5:30 am,Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a house on fire at 9716 North Smith Avenue.  Upon arrival, firefighters from North Portland (St. Johns) Station 22 found that the two-story home's basement was fully involved in fire.  Firefighters entered the residence and began searching for a female resident who reportedly lived in the basement, as well as upper stories for any occupants, but found that the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. 

After an aggressive attack, the fire was knocked down and contained primarily to the basement. The home's basement suffered extensive fire damage and there is minimal smoke and fire damage to the upper floors.  Firefighters discovered that there were no working smoke alarms in the home. The fire is currently under investigation and a public information officer is on scene.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that working smoke alarms greatly increase your chances of surviving a fire.  All residences should have a working smoke alarm on each floor of their home and in every sleeping room.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   October 18, 2011 

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UPDATED WITH CAUSE

October 18, 2011

6:02 pm

Fire Investigators have found that the cause of the fire at 8343 NE Broadway was the use of illegal fireworks. The fire is deemed accidental.

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October 18, 2011

3:15 PM

At 1:10 pm, Portland firefighters were dispatched to the third significant residential fire to break out in Portland in nine hours.  Firefighters responded to 8343 NE Broadway after receiving reports from neighbors who heard an explosion and observed flames shooting 10' in the air above the house.  Most of the fire was contained to the home's attached carport and arborvitaes.  However, the fire was so hot that it melted through the siding of the adjacent home. 

One person was home at the time of the fire and was alerted to get out by neighbors who knocked on the door.  NW Natural gas was called to the scene to investigate the reports of an explosion and determined that there was not a natural gas leak at the property.  One man across the street from the home was treated at the scene by firefighter/paramedics for smoke inhalation after the strong east winds drove thick black smoke into neighboring residences.  

The Red Cross has been called in to assist one individual with finding alternate housing.  Fire investigators remain on scene working to determine the cause of the fire.  Damages to the home, the home's contents, and the adjacent home are estimated at $50,000.

Photos by Dick Harris, Portland Fire & Rescue.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   October 18, 2011 

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"Principal" Nohr welcomes a student to school

John Nohr, Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Operations Chief, traded his fire badge and radio for a chalkboard and a playground whistle to participate in Portland Public School’s 11^th Annual “Principal for Almost a Day” event.

Principal for a Day is a project of the Portland Schools Foundation that brings local community leaders representing the public, private, and non-profit sectors into schools across the Portland Public School District. The program is designed to:

• Increase awareness and understanding among community leaders of the strengths and challenges of Portland Public Schools,
• Demonstrate commitment to ensuring a quality public education for all students, and
• Form ongoing partnerships between individuals, businesses, and the Portland Public School District.

“Principal” John Nohr arrived early this morning at Stephenson Elementary School in SW Portland to greet students on their way to class.  During his visit, “Principal” Nohr had the opportunity to interact with students, teachers, other faculty, and principals in an actual learning environment, sharing ideas and learning about the school's day-to-day operations.

At the end of the experience, all guest principals will convene with the superintendent of schools and discuss their experiences and potential commitments and plans for future involvement with their host school.

Last year in October, Chief Nohr was Principal for a Day at Harvey Scott School in NE Portland. Read about his experience here. 

A big thanks to Stephenson Elementary School’s principal, staff, and students for letting PF&R be a part of your day! Learn more about Stephenson Elementary at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/stephenson/.  

October 20, 2011

10:48 AM

What:  Annual MFSA (Maritime Fire & Safety Association) Shipboard Firefighting Drill

When:  Saturday, October 22nd from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; skill stations begin at 9:45 am

Where:  Cascade General,5555 N Channel Ave., #71,Portland,OR97217

On October 22nd, Portland Fire & Rescue, along with fire departments from Vancouver, Astoria, Longview, Kelso, and Clatskanie, will participate in a joint training for firefighters involved in fighting shipboard fires.  This specialized type of shipboard training is essential to regional firefighters' ability to set up, use, and move equipment on a shipboard fire incident.  It is also an important time for firefighters to go over communications use, limitations, and abilities in case of an actual shipboard fire incident.

North Portland Fire Station 24, a specialty station and the only station in Portlandthat is trained for land-based marine firefighting, will be participating in the training along with Portland Fire Station 6.

This type of specialty training has been utilized in fires that would have otherwise been fatal to ship crew members. Shipboard fires and incidents can require any and all of the training that a land-based fire or incident would have.

"Ships are like floating high rises, but instead of housing offices, they are often stocked many stories high with weapons, millions of barrels of fuel, or hazardous cargo," said Public Information Officer Paul Corah.  "That's why this shipboard drill is such an important component of our firefighters' training."

Overseen by the MFSA, participants will be divided into four groups.  Individual stations will focus on the following: communications set up, air monitoring, patient packaging, foam tender operations, equipment and hose set up, and use of bulk CO2 suppression systems.

In 1983 after a fire destroyed the M/V Protector Alpha, killing one Coast Guardsman and injuring a local firefighter, the Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) was established with the mission to promote fire protection, safety, and the enhancement of navigation on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.