Portland Fire responds to commercial fire in SE PDX (Photo)

July 11, 2023 17:25

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Portland Fire responds to commercial fire in SE PDX

Shortly after 3 PM, Portland Fire & Rescue along with Gresham Fire and Emergency Services responded to a commercial fire in the Hazelwood Neighborhood of SE PDX in the 14100 block of SE Stark. The fire was dispatched out with multiple callers driving by claiming smoke pushing out of what could be an apartment complex. A passing ambulance confirmed fire venting through the roof as well.

The first arriving rig reported the structure appeared to be an office complex with smoke and fire showing from front of the building. The command chief arrived and directed crews in an offensive fire attack, connecting to fire hydrants and stretching hose lines to be put in place inside. Along with fire attack, the chief directed the first truck to perform a search of the building. As the hose lines were being put in place the primary search indicated there was not an occupant on the inside of the building. Interviews later with the building owner and supervisor confirmed this building is currently unoccupied.

Fire was in the lowest floor, which was partially below grade, of the split-level building and was extending into the second level. Crews began to extinguish the fire in the lower level, but the fire had already spread into the second level and began to extend into the attic space. A second alarm assignment was requested with fire quickly spreading throughout the attic and pushing out at the eaves on 3 of 4 sides of the structure.

A complete secondary search of the building confirmed there was no occupant on the inside. While the fire in the lower level was extinguished, there was plenty of active fire in the second level and attic space. Truck and Squad companies were on the roof using saws to open ventilation holes to allow the trapped fire and smoke to escape while interior engine companies were pulling ceiling in the second level to gain access to the fire in the attic.

Multiple hose lines were being moved around the inside of the building to extinguish any remaining fire on the inside along with a bit of water being applied from the exterior at the eave line. Water was also rained onto the roof to flow down into the vegetation filled gutters that were now also on fire. The fire was under control near the 20-minute marker and completely extinguished at the 30-minute timer. There were no injuries reported to any civilian nor firefighter. The fire investigator is on scene determining cause.

Portland Fire would like to that the gas and power companies for responding along with our partners at BOEC for aiding in the communication of the incident. We would also like to thank the Emergency Vehicle Technician from our Logistics Section who responded to be sure all emergency fire apparatus were ready to perform as needed if the fire extended any further.

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