July 4, 2012

2:24 AM

Firefighters responded to a commercial fire at The Six Point Inn (6801 N. Columbia Way) in St Johns at 1:15 this morning. This was of particular concern because unlike most commercial fires, there are residences above. Crews from Station 22 (St Johns), Station 26 (Portsmouth),and Station 8 (Kenton) worked swiftly to evacuate the residents and isolate the fire. This was difficult because the bulk of the fire was in the walls, so firefighters had to open the structure not only from inside, but from the outside as well.

Members of Truck company 8 work with members from Truck company 22 and used chain saws to open the walls, allowing the Engine companies to attack the fire. This also allowed the smoke to ventilate to the outside allowing the interior crews to search for extensions.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and no one was injured. Updates to follow.

Response : 4 engines , 2 trucks , 2 chiefs, 1 ambulance

July 4, 2012

1:55 pm

At 1:11 pm, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a fire at 3408 SE 87th Avenue. Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 11 (Lents) arrived to find a single-story wood frame structure with smoke showing from the gable end.

It was determined that the two occupants had safely escaped the fire and were waiting for crews out front. Firefighters discovered that a bathroom ventilation fan had caught on fire and then the fire extended into the attic. Crews knocked down the fire in the attic and bathroom; the fire was brought under control at 1:21 pm.

Damage to the home is estimated at $15,000. The Red Cross has been called to assist the two occupants with alternate housing.

July 4, 2012

2:46 PM

It has been a busy afternoon for Portland Fire & Rescue crews, who have responded to three fires in less than an hour. At 2:03 pm, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a garage on fire at 3039 SE 89th Avenue. Fire crews from Portland Fire Station 11 (Lents) arrived in just four minutes on their second residential fire in less than an hour. Upon arrival crews encountered smoke and flames coming from the garage of the two-story home and heavy black smoke inside the home.

A search of the home was performed and it was determined that all occupants had safely escaped. The fire, which was contained to the garage, was knocked down in just eight minutes. The home suffered heavy smoke damage, but the flames did not extend into the house. The incident was under control at 2:18 pm. A fire investigator has been called to the scene to determine the cause of the fire. There is no damage estimate at this time.

At 1:54 pm, Portland firefighters responded to an apartment fire at 1511 SE Stark Street. This fire was determined to be contained to a stove in the apartment's kitchen. Combustible material had fallen onto the stove's heating element and began burning, causing smoke damage to the apartment.

As earlier reported, at 1:11 pm, Portland Fire crews responded to a residential fire at 3408 SE 87th Avenue where a bathroom ventilation fan caught fire and extended into the home's attic causing $15,000 damage and displacing two occupants.

"This trio of fires illustrates why working smoke alarms are a very important part of any home," said Portland Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Silva. "They notify occupants early of a fire, giving them time to evacuate safely."

July 4, 2012

5:39 PM

At 1:33 pm, Portland Fire Station 29 (Powellhurst) was dispatched to reports of a garbage truck on fire. When they arrived three minutes later, they found a garbage truck in front of Sunset Garbage Collection at 9035 SE Henderson Street with smoke and flames coming from the back.

Firefighters learned that the truck driver had been driving his route earlier when he observed used fireworks littering one of the streets. When he returned from dumping a load to resume garbage collection, he noticed that the fireworks had been cleaned up and thrown in a dumpster he was emptying into the garbage truck. A short time later, after he drove several blocks, he saw smoke coming from the rear of the truck and called 9-1-1.

When firefighters arrived they found that discarded fireworks had ignited a mattress and fire was spreading throughout the trash. They promptly extinguished the fire.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Silva, "After setting off fireworks, it is extremely important that people soak them in a bucket of water to make sure they are completely extinguished before discarding them."

July 5, 2012

11:20 AM

UPDATE

Portland Fire & Rescue has valued the structure and contents at 2819 SW Multnomah Blvd. at $351,000; damage to the structure and contents from last night's fire is $150,000.

July 4, 2012

11:19 PM

At 10:10 pm, SW Portland fire crews were dispatched to reports of a duplex on fire at 2819 SW Multnomah St. Upon arrival, crews found that a fire had started outside in some shrubbery, spread up the side of the structure, and then ran across the common attic of both duplex units.

A truck crew from Portland Fire Station 4 (Portland State) opened up the roof on both sides to ventilate the heat, smoke, and flames, while engine crews assigned to interior fire attack stretched hose lines and knocked down the fire inside the units. The fire was brought under control at 10:34 pm.

A search of the units determined that everyone had escaped the fire safely; there were no reported injuries. A Portland Fire investigator has determined that the cause of this fire was accidental and due to the use of legal fireworks that ignited the blaze.

The Red Cross is assisting the residents of both units with finding alternate housing tonight. There is no estimate of damages at this time.