The City of Portland has a new Fire Lieutenant.

During a formal swearing-in ceremony at Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Training & Safety Facility this morning, Paul Komanecky was appointed to the position of Fire Lieutenant. The ceremony was witnessed by Training, Safety & EMS Chief Glen Eisner, Operations Chief John Nohr, other Fire Bureau personnel, and family members.

Komanecky began his career with Portland Fire in 1996 and had worked at Stations 2, 3, and 9. Most recently, Komanecky managed PF&R’s Emergency Vehicle Operations Driving Program.

As a Fire Lieutenant, Komanecky will be responsible for supervising firefighters when working at a fire scene or other emergency. He will also organize and supervise the day-to-day tasks at a Portlandfire station, and provide training on safety procedures and fire equipment to firefighters. Click here to view the City of Portland Fire Lieutenant job description.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Komanecky! 

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

UPDATED WITH FIRE CAUSE & DAMAGE ESTIMATES

4:35 PM

Portland Fire has determined that the cause of this fire was electrical in nature. Roofers were working on the roof shortly before the fire broke out. Reports indicate they were discarding a piece of metal flashing, which accidentally connected with a high powered electrical line and shorted out the line causing the fire. Damage to the home is estimated at $75,000.

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February 2, 2012

3:04 PM

Video file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-02/549/51381/00022.wmv

Video file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-02/549/51381/00020.wmv

Video file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-02/549/51381/00019.wmv 

At 12:05 pm on February 2, 2012, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a house on fire at 14200 NW Riverview Drive.  Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 22 (St. Johns) arrived first on-scene. 

Firefighters quickly discovered that a piece of metal flashing from the roof had dislodged and fell against a transmission power line, fully “energizing” the structure and any metal parts therein.  This created extremely dangerous conditions for firefighters to search the home for occupants and a cat that was reported missing.

Firefighters determined that everyone had exited the home safely. Deputy Chief John Harding ordered all crews to evacuate and stay out of the structure for their safety until the power could be shut off.  Firefighters were directed to leave all aluminum ladders that had been deployed in place and withdraw from the house. 

At 12:56 pm, PGE disconnected the power. Firefighters then entered the structure to knock down the fire after the Incident Commander deemed it was safe to do so.

Reports indicate that the power outage affected traffic lights in the vicinity of the Sauvie Island Bridge and along some portions of Highway 30.

Fire Investigators were called to the scene to help determine the cause of the fire and no estimates of damages are available at this time.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

Updated with Fire Cause & Photos

February 4, 2012

6:30 PM

A Portland Fire Investigator has determined that the fire was caused by a careless smoker. The estimated damage cost is still unknown at this time.

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February 4, 2012

6:29 PM

At 9:48 am this morning Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a house on fire at 13015 SE Sherman Street. Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 7 (Mill Park) arrived 4 minutes later and found light smoke coming from under the eves of the house.

The crew from Engine 7 pulled a hose line into the abandoned building and began pulling away the ceiling to expose the majority of the fire which was in the attic space. As Engine 7 was extinguishing the flames the crew from Truck 7 climbed onto the roof and determined they needed to open part of the roof in order to release the heat, smoke and fire gasses. This ventilation process is done to improve the fire conditions inside the building. Although the house was abandoned, fire crews still conducted a thorough primary and secondary search to ensure there were no people or animals inside.

"Life safety will always be our number one priority and so even if a house looks abandoned, we never assume. We search once and then we search again." Said Portland Fire Lieutenant David Barron.

The fire was brought under control at 10:10 am and a Portland Fire Investigator is on scene working to determine the fire cause and damage estimates. Information regarding the cause of the fire and the estimated damage cost will be given as it becomes available.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

February 4, 2012

10:02 PM

Shortly before 7:39 pm, an individual came over and knocked on the door of Portland Fire Station 7 (Mill Park) and alerted firefighters that an apartment unit nearby was on fire.  Firefighters immediately responded on the engine and ladder truck at 7:39 pm to 2016 SE 122nd Avenue, the El Moro Apartments. 

Initial reports indicated that a man who was blind may be trapped inside one of the units.  As firefighters arrived on scene, they saw smoke coming from the back of one of the single-story units and determined that all individuals had safely evacuated.

Firefighters immediately began attacking the fire from the interior.  As they began to pull ceiling down, firefighters saw that fire was racing through a common attic.  The fire was fueled by strong east winds and blowing through attic block holes.   At 7:49 pm, the Incident Commander called for a 2nd alarm bringing additional resources, firefighters, and apparatus to the scene. 

Firefighters on the ladder truck used cutting equipment to make a trench cut in the roof of the affected apartment units.  This enabled engine crews to attack the fire from the interior while truck crews attacked the fire from the roof. The fire was brought under control at 8:15 pm.

An elderly woman was treated at the scene by Portland firefighter/paramedics for smoke inhalation, but did not necessitate transport to a hospital.  A Tri-Met bus was brought in to shelter evacuees and keep them warm and the Red Cross is on scene assisting two residents find alternate housing tonight.

A Fire Investigator has determined that the fire was caused by careless smoking.  This is the second fire that Portland Fire & Rescue has responded to today that was caused by careless smoking.  Damage is estimated at $100,000.

Photos courtesy of Greg Muhr, Portland Fire.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

February 6, 2012

5:10 AM

Update:  Occupants of the home reported that there were no smoke detectors sounding during the incident. They were alerted to the presence of the fire by a relative, who had just returned home from work and encountered thick black smoke when she opened the front door. The individual made an effort to extinguish the fire but the effort was stopped because of the smoke.

Portland Fire & Rescue strongly urges citizens to maintain working smoke detectors in their homes. Had it not been for the relative who returned home at that very moment, the incident could have ended tragically. It is also recommended that if you encounter fire in your home, DO NOT attempt to fight it yourself. The products of combustion from synthetic materials in modern day fires can overcome a person with just one breath, further complicating the emergency. Get to a safe place and call 9-1-1 immediately.

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Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a residential fire at 7730 SE Center Street at 3:49 am.  Initial reports indicate that the fire started in the kitchen and eventually spread to the cabinets and attic of the home.  Portland Fire is responding with a single alarm response.

One female in her 30's was treated by Portland firefighter/paramedics for smoke inhalation and transported to a nearby hospital.  Four adults and five children evacuated the home and are being assisted with finding alternate housing by the Red Cross.

  Portland Fire & Rescue