Hillsboro, OR. — An early morning apartment fire in Hillsboro prompted a first-alarm response and displaced eight adults and five children, though no injuries were reported.
At 4:24 a.m. Friday, Washington County 911 received the first report of a residential fire in a multi-unit apartment complex in the 100 block of Northwest Bailey Avenue. Callers reported residents evacuating, visible smoke, and smoke alarms sounding, though the extent of the fire was initially unclear.
A Hillsboro police officer arriving shortly after the first call confirmed that residents had evacuated safely and observed flames burning through windows at the rear of the complex. The incident was upgraded to a first alarm to bring additional firefighters and resources to the scene.
Fire crews from Station 1 entered the affected apartment to locate and extinguish the fire while additional firefighters searched neighboring units to ensure no occupants remained inside. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., a second residential fire was reported about one block away. Firefighters from Engine 3 responded and determined there was no second fire, confirming the smoke and flames were coming from the original address.
Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions inside the apartment and identified a sub-basement beneath the four-unit complex, prompting added attention to structural stability. At approximately 4:48 a.m., crews received a report of a possible victim inside the unit; however, thorough searches of all units and floors confirmed all residents had evacuated safely. One individual was evaluated by paramedics at the scene.
After the main body of the fire was knocked down, firefighters continued extinguishing hot spots throughout the entire complex. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue investigators responded and continue to investigate the cause, which remains undetermined.
Hillsboro Public Safety Chaplains assisted residents at the scene, and the American Red Cross was requested to help displaced families with recovery needs.
Assisting agencies included Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Police, AMR Ambulance, Portland General Electric, and NW Natural Gas.
Hillsboro Fire & Rescue reminded residents that working smoke alarms save lives and encouraged people to install alarms on every level of their homes, test them regularly, and practice home escape plans.
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