March 2, 2012

4:21 PM

Video file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-03/549/52185/00009.wmv

Video file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-03/549/52185/00008.wmv

At 3:15 pm, firefighters from Station 3 (Northwest/Pearl District) were dispatched to an apartment fire at the Rex Manor Apartments located at 904 NW 21^st Avenue.

First-arriving crews were met by a tenant from the apartment building who had heard fire alarms sounding and evacuated her second-story unit. The tenant relayed to firefighters that there was heavy smoke coming from one of the apartments on the second floor.

Firefighters immediately began knocking on doors and securing a water supply to contain the fire and keep it from spreading.  

The fire was located in apartment number 203.  Firefighters forced the door to enter the apartment and were met by moderate heat and smoke.

Firefighters worked for nearly a half hour to contain the fire and extinguish hot spots. The only apartment that was affected with minor water damage was the apartment below.  

Fire investigators were called to examine the scene and determine the cause of the fire and damage estimates.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that fire drills are important for all homes, including apartment buildings and other high-rise structures. Battalion Chief Don Russ notes, “You need to know the basics of escape planning, from identifying two ways out of every room to getting low and going under smoke, and the importance of practicing how you would respond in an emergency.”

  Portland Fire & Rescue