August 3, 2012

9:41 AM

Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to Trenton Terrace Apartments (4720 N. Trenton St.) at 6:48 AM with reports of a fire in a second floor unit. This was of particular concern to responders because Trenton Terrace is a rental complex for seniors. Engine 26 (Portsmouth) arrived within minutes and quickly formulated a plan to not only extinguish the fire, but to assure that all of the residents were either evacuated or sheltered in a safe place.

Station 22 (St Johns), Station 8 (Kenton), and Engine 24 (Swan Island) arrived shortly thereafter and methodically started the process of rescue, ventilation, and excess water removal. The units are supplied with an automatic sprinkler system which help contain the fire to one room.

The cause of the fire is linked to careless cigarette extinguishment. Cigarettes remain the number 1 cause of fires and fire fatalities. 45 % of fire fatalities are caused by cigarette related incidents... the second most cause is heating equipment malfunction at 8%. Additionally, fires caused by cigarette smoking produce about 6,000 injuries a year.

Trenton Terrace does 2 fire drills a year. This no doubt aided in there being zero injuries reported during this fire.

Response info: 4 Engines, 2 Trucks, 2 Chiefs