News Release from: Portland Fire & Rescue

Fire Investigators have estimated the damage from last nights fire at the Eastside Foursquare Church to be $500,000. Investigators are in the building this afternoon sifting through the rubble and examining the building components in an effort to find the cause and origin of the blaze. Interviews of witnesses are also continuing.

No other information is being released by investigators at this time. Portland Fire & Rescue will release any and all information as it becomes available from the Investigations team.
                                   #PF&R#


Fire broke out tonight at the Eastside Foursquare Church at 97th and Sandy Blvd. Firefighters were dispatched at 7:15 pm and even before they arrived they reported a large column of smoke in the area. When crews arrived at the scene they reported thick smoke coming from the second floor and the roof area of the building.

A second alarm was called for at 7:24 pm because more firefighters were needed to fight the fire. The structure is a large two story wood building with several large rooms in the upstairs portion. As crews were inside fighting the fire they report lots of thick smoke and high heat conditions. As they advanced attempting to locate the seat of the fire flames erupted from the roof of the structure.

With the advancing fire and conditions inside the building rapidly becoming worse, fire commanders pulled all the firefighters out of the building and called for a third alarm at 7:35 pm. From outside the building firefighters poured water from aerial ladders until we once again had control of the fire and could send crews back inside.

No injuries to civilians or firefighter were reported.
First Alarm 7:15 pm
Second Alarm 7:19 pm
Third Alarm 7:35 pm
Recall     8:30 pm

Fire Investigators are onscene and have begun an investigation into the cause of the fire. They and firefighters will been working on the fire building through the night and into tomorrow.

About 70 firefighters were called to fight the fire.


Contact Info: Contact Lt. Allen Oswalt pager 503-940-6003