June 8, 2012

10:01 AM

Portland fire investigators have determined that last night’s house fire at 2402 N.E. 27^th was caused by faulty wiring in the upstairs walls. Damage to the $600,000 home is estimated at $80,000. 

As of this morning, the 89-year old woman rescued from the fire is still listed in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Each year, electrical fires in homes claim the lives of 280 Americans and injure 1,000 more. Some are caused by electrical system failures such as last nights fire, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

Portland Fire & Rescue encourages citizens to review the below safety precautions that can help to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires:

• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
• Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
• Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory.
• Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
• Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
• Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

#####

June 7, 2012

11:00 PM

At 7:30 pm Portland firefighters responded to a reported house fire located at 2402 N.E. 27th.  When firefighters from Station 13 (Lloyd Center) arrived they found a man on the front porch yelling out loud that his mother was inside the house and could not get out.  Firefighters went into rescue mode and quickly moved firefighters to the second floor to search for the mother.  It took less than a minute for firefighters to find the woman in the hallway.  The firefighters faced high level of heat while advancing up the stairway, they could hear the fire above them in the attic and they knew they had not much time to make the rescue.

Portland Fire medics rendered first aid to the 89 year old woman; they quickly helped transport her to Emanuel Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.  Her stepson who was waiting on the front porch when firefighters arrived was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.

The fire which caused extensive damage on the second floor and attic was brought under control with in 20 minutes after firefighters arrived.  No other injuries were reported on scene and at this time no estimates on damage and the cause is under investigation.