April 15, 2012

5:46 PM

This afternoon at approximately 4:30 pm, Portland firefighters were called to a house fire in NE Portland. Firefighters from Portland's Alberta Park Fire Station 14 arrived within three minutes and found fire in one room of the single story house. The fire was also extending into the attic. The homes occupants, a family of four adults, were safely out of the house.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and it was declared under control within 16 minutes of the firefighters arrival. No one was injured by this fire; however, the home will be uninhabitable until it can be cleaned and repaired. The American Red Cross has been called to assist the occupants with housing.

A Portland Fire & Rescue fire investigator is working to determine the cause of this fire and an estimate of the damage. This information will be made available as soon as possible. The quick arrival and decisive action of firefighters kept this fire's damage to a minimum.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds residents to:

1. Have working Smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping area.
2. Prepare and practice a fire escape plan (including a safe meeting place).
3. If you have a fire get to safety and call 911 immediately, because seconds count. (A fire can double in size every 30 seconds).