UPDATED INFORMATION

February 22, 2012

8:50 PM

The cause of the residential fire at 4536 NE 99th Avenue, which broke out at 5:56 pm on February 22, 2012, is still undetermined at this time. Damage to the two-story home is estimated at $80,000.

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February 22, 2012

8:50 PM

At 5:56 pm, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of smoke billowing from a house on fire at 4536 NE 99th Avenue. Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 12 (Sandy Blvd.) arrived first on scene in just two minutes to find flames coming from the back of the house and windows shattering.

The Incident Commander immediately called for a shut down of NE Prescott Street as engine and truck crews responded from surrounding fire stations.

Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 2 (Parkrose) laddered to the roof and cut holes to vent the heat and smoke. Engine crews inside the home made an aggressive attack to knock down the blaze. After extinguishing the body of fire, firefighters used pike poles to pull the entire second floor ceiling and search for hidden fire. The fire was brought under control at 6:23 pm.

At the time of the fire a mother and her three children ages 7, 13, and 15 were not home. The family, who was renting the home, does have renter’s insurance. The Red Cross has been called to the scene to help the family find alternate housing tonight.

A fire investigator is currently on scene working to determine the cause of the fire and damage estimates.

  Portland Fire & Rescue

YOUTUBE VIDEO FOOTAGE

Courtesy of "theonetruebix"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsSI7ZlPno0

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UPDATED INFORMATION

February 23, 2012

10:41 AM

Portland fire investigators have determined that the cause of last night’s second alarm fire, which broke out at 10:50 pm at 1511 SE Morrison, was due to improperly discarded smoking materials. The structure and contents were valued at $850,000 with a loss of $200,000.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that careless smoking or the improper disposal of smoking materials is the number one cause of fire fatalities in the United States according to the National Fire Protection Agency. If you’re a smoker, make sure butts or ashes are out before you throw them away. Dowsing smoking materials in water or sand is the best way to do that, along with disposing of them in a non-flammable container.

Above photos courtesy of Ray Bruno, citizen.

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February 23, 2012

1:22 AM

At 10:50 pm, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of fire in an apartment building located at 1511 SE Morrison St.

Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 21 (Eastbank/Hawthorne) arrived first on scene to find heavy fire coming from the back of one of the apartments. Due to a live power line that was down across the street on SE 15th between SE Morrison and SE Alder, firefighters were forced to pull their hose lines through adjacent side yards to reach the back of the building and begin attacking this fire.

The Incident Commander called for a second alarm response nine minutes later due to the fact that the fire was moving quickly up the backside of the apartment building and up into the attic.

The seven-unit apartment complex was comprised of two adjoining buildings. Several nearby homes and another apartment complex were all in close proximity to the building on fire and potentially in the fire’s path.

An aggressive and proactive fire attack enabled the 60 firefighters on scene to control the blaze and stop it from spreading to adjacent structures. A total of four ladder trucks, nine engines, and additional resources responded to the incident. The fire was brought under control at 11:39 pm.

Approximately 10 people were displaced due to the fire. The Red Cross is responding to help residents find shelter for the night.

Two fire investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire and damage estimates. They have confirmed that all units had working smoke alarms at the time of the fire, which likely contributed to the fact that all 10 residents safely evacuated tonight’s blaze. 

  Portland Fire & Rescue

What is most important to you and your community?

Join Mayor Adams, City Commissioners and voice your priorities about the FY 2012-13 budget.

March 5, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

Montgomery Park Ballroom

2701 NW Vaughn

Portland,OR 97210

Parking lot available, Bus lines #15, 17, 77

March 21, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

Cleveland High School Cafeteria

3400 SE 26th

Portland,OR 97202

Parking lot available, Bus lines #9, 10, 66

Visit http://www.portlandonline.com/communitybudget to learn more about the City’s budget process, how community members can get involved, and how to provide feedback online.

All budget forum locations are ADA accessible. To help ensure equal access to City programs, services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify policies/procedures and provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities.

For accommodation requests, please call 503-823-6952 in advance or (TDD) 503-823-6868.

  Portland Fire & Rescue

This morning, Portland firefighters from Station 1 (Downtown/Central) participated in a complex and highly technical rope rescue drill at a SW highrise building.

The drill was built around scenarios that involved an individual who had fallen multiple floors into an open shaft. 

Station 1’s specialty rescue crew members utilized their skills and training to extricate this individual by lowering rescuers into the shaft to retrieve the trapped injured victim.

Trainings such as these provide firefighters will valuable hands-on experience with using specialized equipment that is required to safety and efficiently mitigate these types of emergencies.

  Portland Fire & Rescue

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOVE LEWIS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

February 27, 2012

9:26 AM

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UPDATED INFORMATION: FIRE CAUSE & DAMAGE ESTIMATES

February 27, 2012

8:41 AM

After and extensive investigation Portland Fire Investigators have classified the cause of the fire to be undetermined. Several conditions in the home were present but identifying the root cause was hampered by the extent of the fire damage. Many extension cords ran through the home, and were covered by excessive amounts of contents. Often times called "hoarding", this is the third residential fire in two weeks that involved similar interior conditions. The second of these fires, on 2/18/2012 in North Portland, resulted in a fatality. This is a serious condition that can be unsafe for both occupants and firefighters. Piles of debris create an unnaturally large fuel load, giving a fire large quantities of material to burn. The piles, which can become unstable when burning or wet from fire hoses, can reduce or block emergency egress.

The homeowner did say in a statement to fire investigators that working smoke detectors woke him up and alerted him to the presence of the fire. He initially attempted to extinguish the fire himself, delaying calling 9-1-1. Fires can more than double in size every two minutes, so calling 9-1-1 quickly is essential to get resources started.

Value of Structure: $150,000.

Damage to Structure: $100,000.

Damage to Contents: $20,000.

Cleo, the German Shepard is listed in stable condition at Dove Lewis Animal Hospital.

For more info contact: Jenna Cooper at jcooper@dovelewis.org

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February 27, 2012

2:58 AM

At 1:13 a.m. Portland Fire crews were dispatched to reports of a house on fire at the 7100 block of N. Macrum Ave. The caller's description of "windows breaking" and 6' flames coming from the roof of the house were a good indication to responding crews that there was a working fire.

Police that were on scene reported that the homeowner, who had been upset that his dog was still in the residence may have gone back into the house to rescue his dog, adding a potential rescue component to the incident.

Approximately four minutes after being dispatched, Engine 26 (Portsmouth/University Park) arrived and reported heavy fire coming from the house. They made a quick and aggressive interior attack, knocking down the main body of fire within five minutes of arriving. Truck 22 (St. Johns) was assigned vertically ventilate through the roof to improve conditions for firefighters working inside the structure. An initial search revealed no other occupants in the home. The fire was recalled 27 minutes after PF&R's arrival.

The homeowner was found outside the home with burns to his hands and arms and was transported by ambulance to the Oregon Burn Center. The dog, a German Shepherd-mix named Cleo, was treated by firefighters with a pet-oxygen mask and was taken to a pet hospital by a neighbor.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that entering a building on fire without proper equipment and training can have tragic consequences. Modern building materials contain large amounts of synthetic products which, when burned, can overcome an individual more quickly.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

  Portland Fire & Rescue