PF&R responds to fatal fire overnight. (Photo)

November 06, 2023 08:25

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Portland Fire responds to fatal fire in the early AM hours.

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a possible residential fire in the Gateway Neighborhood. Portland BOEC received a call with information of a possible residential fire shortly after 4 AM with information of “seeing fire and heard an explosion” which activated a residential fire response of four fire engines and two fire trucks staffed with four members each along with two fire chiefs placing 26 individuals enroute to the reported location at 4:07 AM with an ambulance also on the initial dispatch due to the high probability of occupants present in the home at this time of day. The first arriving engine reported heavy fire from a front corner of a single-story residential home at 4:10 AM with the command officer directing an offensive fire attack to be initiated from the exterior to reduce the flames until an interior hose line could be put into place. The main body of fire was eliminated from this exterior fire attack with interior reports of low visibility and moderate heat by crews advancing hose lines on the inside of the home. There was a fire fatality located in area of origin found following the completed extinguishment of flames. A second resident was sent to the hospital for evaluation.

The use of hose lines from the outside of the home eliminated much of the fire prior to the interior hose line placement. The interior hand lines advanced to the location of origin eliminated any remaining fire present within minutes of arrival. Reports of thick smoke throughout the house led to ventilation efforts of opening windows to allow the smoke to escape along with truck companies performing ventilation holes cut into the roof to improve both visibility from the removal of smoke and tenability with the removal of the heat present due to the fire. Reports from the roof company was very little fire in the attic with only a few hot spots and no heat nor smoke present. As ventilation and extinguishment efforts continued, information from a resident on the outside directed the crews to perform a focused search in the area of origin for a missing resident. A 66-year-old male was found in the room of origin partially covered by furniture and some of the structure and was a confirmed fire fatality. The surviving resident was transported to the hospital with minor burn injuries and concerns of smoke inhalation. 

Portland Fire Investigation members are currently at the home working through the debris to determine a fire cause. Home oxygen bottles led to the reported explosion heard and reported to the dispatch center. There were no working smoke alarms found in the structure. Smoke alarms save lives, please take the time to check and replace all non-operational smoke detectors in your residence.

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