Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-01/549/61064/new_3.jpg
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-01/549/61064/new_2.jpg
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-01/549/61064/new_1.jpg

911 dispatchers sent fire crews to a house fire (4841 SE 84Th ave.) at 10:58 am. A neighbor called and said that there was smoke coming from the house. Engine 11 (Lents) arrived and quickly made entry, but had to maneuver around multiple items that were in the home... this made getting to the fire difficult. The fire was growing rapidly and firefighters had to back out and fight the fire from the outside for safety reasons. Station 25 (Woodstock), Engine 19 (Mount Tabor), and Station 7 (Mill Park) also responded to the fire. Truck crews had to cut holes in the roof and open windows to ventilate the home.

While firefighters were responding, dispatchers also made them aware that there were acetylene and oxygen tanks in the garage. "It's great to get information like this prior to our arrival", said Incident Commander Dan Buckner, "Firefighter safety is very important when responding to any emergency."

The homeowner was away at the time of the incident and firefighters were able to rescue a blind cat from the home. Fire investigators are on scene to determine the cause of the fire, which originated in a back bedroom. Investigators will also determine a damage assessment. No one was injured during the incident.

Total response: 4 engines, 2 trucks, 2 chief officers

Photos courtesy of Dick Harris (PF&R)

Contact info, for media use only:
Ron Rouse P.I.O.
Portland Fire & Rescue
Media pager (503) 940 6003