March 28, 2011

10:22 AM

  

**Updated Information & Photos**

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of thick black smoke coming from an athletic facility located next to a bowling alley on NE Russell Street between NE 82nd and NE 84th Avenues at 7:42 am. 

Arriving crews found fire on the exterior of the 75 x 100' concrete building.  Upon making entry, they discovered fire inside the building on both the first and second floors.  Incident commanders called for a 2nd alarm at 8:07 am bringing additional firefighters, trucks, engines, and resources to the scene.  The athletic facility and bowling alley both have basements that adjoin the two buildings into a maze-like configuration, which made this fire difficult to attack. 

"Firefighters efforts to aggressively attack this fire saved the bowling alley from sustaining significant damage," said Public Information Officer Tommy Schroeder.  "Fortunately both buildings were vacant at the time of this fire and no one was injured." 

Additionally, many 5-gallon containers of chemical for the athletic facility's swimming pool were stored inside.  Portland Fire is taking special precautions while operating in the building due to possible exposure to chemicals.  The air is constantly being monitored and firefighters will continue to wear their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) while on scene to ensure their safety.

The fire was brought under control at 9:19 am.  Two Fire Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of this fire.

Photos courtesy of Greg Muhr, Portland Fire & Rescue.

 

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March 28, 2011

8:21 AM

Portland Fire & Rescue is on scene responding to a 2nd Alarm commercial fire at NE 82nd Ave & NE Russell St. A Public Information Officer is en route to the scene. Media staging will be located at NE 82nd just east off of Russell Street. Information will be posted as it becomes available.