Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) is saddened to report that a woman rescued from her apartment during a fire this morning has passed away.  The 85-year-old woman lived in one of the fourth floor units of a SE Portland apartment building.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the woman's family," says PF&R Public Information Officer Paul Corah. "Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes of being dispatched to the fire, rescued her, and she was quickly transported to the hospital.  However, she suffered extensive burns to over 50 percent of her body and was exposed to a large quantity of smoke in a short period of time."

After careful examination, Portland Fire Investigators have determined that the fire began in the woman's apartment after a candle was lit, mistakenly fell to the floor, and then ignited her clothing. Due to the fact that each individual living unit was sprinklered, the fire was confined to the unit of origin.  It is estimated that the apartment building sustained $52,000 in damage as a result of this incident.

Background on the Fire:

Portland Firefighters were dispatched to reports of an apartment fire at 10325 SE Holgate Blvd. at the Lents Village Apartments at 8:37 am.  Initial reports indicated that an 85-year-old female occupant of one of the units was burned and her apartment unit was on fire.

Upon arrival at 8:41 am, firefighters from Station 11 located the fire victim.  Her clothes were on fire, and they quickly helped extinguish the flames by covering her with a blanket.  They then administered medical aid and she was transported to the Emanuel Hospital Burn Center.  A second elderly female from the apartment unit next door to the fire unit suffered from smoke inhalation and was also transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

As the victim was being attended to, firefighters worked to confirm that the fire was out.  Three sprinklers on the fourth floor activated.  These sprinklers and fire rated doors helped contain the fire to the area of origin.  There was extensive water damage throughout the building.  All other residents were accounted for and safely evacuated.  The last resident to evacuate, an elderly male who is also blind, was assisted from his apartment unit to safety by Lt. Grant Stanbro.

The apartment building contains 63 units and houses approximately 80 residents.  Trauma Intervention Program volunteers are responding to assist residents in dealing with this fire.  The fire was recalled at 9:26 am.  Two Fire Investigators are currently onscene investigating the cause.  No damage estimates are available.  This release will be updated with photos shortly.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that stop, drop, and roll is the most effective way to extinguish a fire if your clothes catch on fire.  Portland Fire also suggests that you know and practice your emergency evacuation plan if you live in a multi-dwelling residence.

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Updated with photos.

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Portland Firefighters were dispatched to reports of an apartment fire at 10325 SE Holgate Blvd. at the Lents Village Apartments at 8:37 am.  Initial reports indicated that an 85-year-old female occupant of one of the units was burned and her apartment unit was on fire.

Upon arrival at 8:41 am, firefighters from Station 11 located the fire victim.  Her clothes were on fire, and they quickly helped extinguish the flames by covering her with a blanket.  They then administered medical aid and she was transported to the Emanuel Hospital Burn Center.  A second elderly female from the apartment unit next door to the fire unit suffered from smoke inhalation and was also transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

As the victim was being attended to, firefighters worked to confirm that the fire was out.  Three sprinklers on the fourth floor activated.  These sprinklers and fire rated doors helped contain the fire to the area of origin.  There was extensive water damage throughout the building.  All other residents were accounted for and safely evacuated.  The last resident to evacuate, an elderly male who is also blind, was assisted from his apartment unit to safety by Lt. Grant Stanbro.

The apartment building contains 63 units and houses approximately 80 residents.  Trauma Intervention Program volunteers are responding to assist residents in dealing with this fire.  The fire was recalled at 9:26 am.  Two Fire Investigators are currently onscene investigating the cause.  No damage estimates are available.  This release will be updated with photos shortly.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that stop, drop, and roll is the most effective way to extinguish a fire if your clothes catch on fire.  Portland Fire also suggests that you know and practice your emergency evacuation plan if you live in a multi-dwelling residence.