March 19, 2012 -- Standard fire response procedures are very clear about not opening a door if you suspect there is fire behind it. This is due to the fact that opening the door will not only feed additional oxygen to the fire source, often causing the flames to expand rapidly, but it can also open up an additional pathway for the fire to spread throughout the rest of the building. So with that in mind, what about closing an open door that leads to a room containing a fire?

"I have repeatedly seen fires where the damage could have been significantly reduced if occupants had simply closed the door on the fire," reports a Portland Fire & Rescue Investigator. "Occupants often find a fire and leave the door to the fire room open and then leave the door to the home open. This results in rapid fire extension from the room of fire origin to areas throughout the house. In some cases, doors being left open on opposite sides of the building has resulted in wind-driven effects, which have caused extremely rapid fire development and burn injuries to other occupants trying to escape."

Remember....While the two most important things to remember in the event of a fire are to get out of the building and call 9-1-1, fire investigators point out that simply closing doors behind you on your way out of the building can not only limit the structural damage caused by a fire, but it can also potentially save lives.

WHAT: Community Budget Forum
WHEN: Wednesday March 21, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.
WHERE: Cleveland High School, 3400 SE 26th Ave. Portland, OR 97202.

The City of Portland will be hosting a community budget forum tomorrow, Wednesday March 21, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Cleveland High School in Southeast Portland. The forum will be a chance for the public to meet with Mayor Sam Adams and other City officials to voice their priorities for the FY 2012-2013 Budget. 

Click here to view a PDF of the press release about the budget forum. For further information, including the Bureau Requested Budgets for FY 2012-2013, please visit www.portlandonline.com/communitybudget.  

March 20, 2012
10:11 AM

At 7:21 am, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a house on fire with lots of heavy, black smoke at 13434 SE Harold St.  Neighbors reported that smoke was pouring out the front of the home and that there was a blind man possibly trapped inside.

Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 29 (Powellhurst) arrived first onscene in just three minutes.  They began a search and rescue operation for the man, while other arriving fire companies prepared to attack the blaze.  Two minutes after they arrived, firefighters located the man inside and brought him out of the burning, smoke-filled house. 

The quick response enabled firefighters to dispatch, arrive onscene, and rescue the individual in five minutes.  Firefighters knocked down the main body of fire and Incident Commanders deemed the fire to be under control at 7:40 am.

Sandra Jones, who lives upstairs, reported that she was asleep at the time of the fire.  Her Pomeranian, Sugar Bear, began barking loudly and woke her up to the smell of smoke.  A short time later she heard the home's smoke alarms go off and evacuated. 

"Working smoke alarms, an astute Pomeranian, and a quick response by firefighters all came together, resulting in a positive outcome for the individuals impacted by this morning's fire," said Portland Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Paul Corah.

The 49-year-old man was transported to the Legacy Emanuel Burn Center with non-life threatening burns and smoke inhalation.  Fire investigators have determined that a smoker's carelessness caused the fire, which resulted in approximately $25,000 damage to the home.

According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, one out of every six home fire injuries in Oregon is sustained in fires started by cigarettes.  Portland Fire & Rescue urges citizens to ensure smoking materials are properly disposed of before you leave the room, never smoke in bed, and use deep ashtrays.