Portland, OR. — Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded early Saturday morning to a significant commercial fire in the area of Northeast 127th Avenue and Marx Street.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., firefighters were dispatched after a caller reported smoke coming from a building west of their location, though an exact address was not immediately available. While en route, the first arriving company observed a large column of smoke, known as a “header,” rising from the roof. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke pushing from multiple bay doors and the roof of a large warehouse.
Firefighters immediately began establishing a water supply, forcing entry, conducting a search, and initiating fire attack. Given the size of the concrete tilt-up warehouse — approximately 100 by 300 feet — and the volume of fire, a second alarm was requested just minutes after the first engine and truck arrived.
It was quickly confirmed that the building housed multiple businesses, all of which were closed at the time, with no employees on site. As conditions worsened and portions of the roof burned through, crews transitioned to a defensive fire attack. Elevated master streams were deployed to attack the fire from above, while large hose lines were used through openings along the sides of the building, including bay doors forced open by firefighters.
Firefighters faced several challenges during the incident, including freezing temperatures that turned nearby streets and parking areas icy, slowing movement on the fireground. Crews were also alerted by a bystander that compressed gas cylinders were stored inside the building, increasing the hazard. In addition, water supply demands required firefighters to access a hydrant on a separate water main by cutting through a fence.
The fire was brought under control in about an hour. A small number of crews remained on scene throughout the day to extinguish hot spots. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause.
Portland Fire & Rescue thanked mutual aid partners from Gresham Fire, as well as the Portland Water Bureau, Portland General Electric, and Northwest Natural for assisting with utilities during the response.
About the Author
