7:12 AM

At 11:59 p.m. last night, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched on a tree that was on fire at 2917 NE 8th Avenue. Station 13 (Lloyd District) arrived at 12:01 a.m., just two minutes later and discovered that the fire had extended to a 10' by 12' shed, 10 feet from the neighbor's house. Fire crews immediately pulled hose lines to the back of the house and attacked the flames coming from every part of the shed. Fire crews were able to stop the flames from catching the neighbor's house on fire. The fire was under control at 12:16 a.m.

Portland Fire & Rescue's Arson Investigators determined that the fire's cause was accidental & that a bag of BBQ Briquettes under a large BBQ had begun burning after an evening BBQ. The briquettes started the vegetation on fire which extended to the shed. The shed was a total loss at $5000.00.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds all citizens to use caution when using a BBQ. Ensure the propane tank is completely turned off or that all briquettes have stayed in the BBQ when cooking is complete.