The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) National Response Team (NRT) will join with Portland Fire & Rescue and the Portland Police Bureau to investigate the cause of the fire that destroyed the Thunderbird Hotel located at 1401 N. Hayden Island Drive, in Portland, Oregon.
The NRT is composed of veteran ATF special agents, including certified fire investigators, certified explosives specialists, forensic mappers, accelerant and explosives detection canines, explosives enforcement officers, fire protection engineers, electrical engineers, and forensic chemists. NRT special agents are specifically trained to work fire and explosive scenes.
Federal, state, and local agencies can request the activation and assistance of ATF's NRT to investigate significant fire and explosive incidents.
The primary objective of the NRT is to concentrate ATF fire/explosive investigative resources and expertise on those incidents and investigations that require additional resources. Experts may not be available within a local agency or local ATF office.
Media is invited to attend an open Q & A at the fire scene on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 2:30 PM for information pertaining to the NRT and the joint cause and origin investigation.

Contact:  Michael Silva, PIO

Media Pager:  503 940-6003