Portland, OR. – Official Release: Portland Fire was dispatched to a duplex fire just before 3 AM in the Multnomah Village Neighborhood of SW Portland. The first arriving engine reported heavy fire with flames already venting through the roof of the duplex located downslope of the access road and called for a second alarm assignment with the possible need for an increased workforce to prevent the fire from extending into neighboring homes and structures. Blocking the view of the primary residence was a 4-bay garage building limiting the command officers ability to completely see the structure.
Crews from the first engine pulled large diameter hose lines from the engine to apply water on the fire along with a quick investigation of the building on fire and reported back to command the significant body of fire present throughout the entire duplex. The pathway to get to the duplex around the side of the garage outbuilding was down a slick slope that was already muddy, prior to the application of the water from any hose line and footing was already a challenge. With the hose lines flanking either side of the building in use and a water supply established, crews operated in a defensive posture, applying the water from the exterior as the body of fire on the interior was not survivable and floors had already begun to collapse on the inside of duplex.
The fire compromised the structure to where there was a concern of a collapse of the entire back wall. This safety concern limited the area where firefighters could operate safely and all were directed to remain outside the collapse zone. There was a truck placed in the front of the building with the ability to operate their aerial nozzle to spray water from above if needed. The location of the firefighters on scene that were successfully applying water from multiple hand lines limited this operation until the overhaul phase of the operation. The fire was considered under control in 40 minutes and unassigned crews were being released.
A large focus of the efforts early in the incident were to account for all possible occupants. There were no reported injuries of occupants and responders in this incident. With multiple cars parked in front of the garage structure along with the time of day, crews expected to have occupants at or inside the structure. Through searches along with communicating with neighbors it was discovered that one entire residents of one occupancy was repoted to be away on a trip while the other living space had a single elderly resident who was safely removed uninjured. Red Cross was contacted for any displacement assistance for the occupants of this duplex.
Aside from the heavy fire upon arrival, other challenges were the muddy and slick downward sloping ground surrounding the home, the possibility of a wall collapse, and controlling the utilities where the electrical boxes had completely burned off the structure. Despite these challenges, crews were able to prevent the fire spread to any adjacent structures, including the 4-bay garage located a mere 5’ breezeway away from the primary structure.
The PF&R-PPB combined Fire Investigations Unit is on scene to begin the slow process of combing through the debris to discover the cause of this fire. This will be a long process for the safety of the investigative team with the compromised structure in question.
Portland Fire would like to thank Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, PGE, BOEC, and Portland Police for their assistance in this incident. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge our partnership with the Red Cross and their ability to assist in aiding displaced residents in times of need.
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