Portland Fire and Rescue

PF&R crews at scene of SW Portland house fire

Portland Fire and Rescue

June 20, 2014 00:15

At 6:40pm PF&R crews were dispatched to a house fire at SW 59th and Garden Home. The original 911 callers said that a deck was on fire and that it was spreading to a home. When Engine 18 arrived they found a single family residence with smoke and fire showing from the rear of the home. Incident commanders had to navigate crews through several difficulties including limited access to the property("flag lot" off of a narrow road), large trees and shrubbery in close proximity to the house (with potential to spread to neighboring homes) and extreme clutter or "hoarding" like conditions which create several hazards for responding firefighters.
Firefighters were able to control the fire, preventing spread to other trees or structures. The residents of the home were not at home at the time of the fire. One dog was rescued but pronounced dead at the scene. Fire investigators were sent to the scene but a cause has not been established. Damage to the home was extensive. No other injuries were reported

Another fire was dispatched in SE Portland at 120th and SE Grant; a stove fire that extended to kitchen cabinets. Firefighters were able to prevent any further spread to the home but the simultaneous responses created difficulties with positioning the remaining resources in the city to respond to other medical and fire emergencies.

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