July 9, 2012

10:33 AM

Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched at 7:15 this morning to a report of a vehicle fire at a home at 11832 SE Holgate Blvd. Engine 7(Mill Park) arrived first at 7:17 am and found a car fire that had begun to burn three other cars and a house. The house is on a flag lot and the home's power line had burned through and fallen onto the driveway which left only three feet of safe clearance to get to the fire and house. Firefighters pulled hose lines carefully down that driveway to ensure they did not get electrocuted and aggressively attacked the vehicle fire and the fire that had begun to burn the exterior of the house. Firefighters were able to stop the fire from getting into the house. The fire was under control at 7:42 am.

When firefighters first arrived, they also intended to check the house to make sure all the residents had evacuated. Firefighters found that all the residents had already been cleared out of the house by off-duty Portland Firefighter Paramedic William Earl. Earl was on his way to work when he saw the column of smoke and stopped to help. Earl quickly checked the house to ensure all residents had safely exited and then notified the in-coming firefighters that the house was clear. "Portland firefighters not only work hard to protect Portland resident's on-duty, but are also willing to help out in many ways while off-duty," said Battalion Chief Chris Babcock.

SE Holgate Blvd had to be shut down for approximately 30 minutes due to hose lines being connected to a hydrant across the street. Red Cross was called to assist eight adults and three children who were displaced by the fire.

Four vehicles, a residence and a fence were damaged by the fire for a total loss of $55,000. The house and vehicles were valued at $200,000. The fire cause is still under investigation. No injuries occurred to either firefighters or citizens.