PORTLAND, Ore. — A dramatic early morning rescue unfolded in Portland’s Lents neighborhood Monday when firefighters saved a resident trapped on a roof as flames spread from a burning tree into a home.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched shortly after 5:30 a.m. following reports from a neighbor of a house fire involving a large tree in front of a residence. The caller reported flames extending from the tree into the home.
Firefighters from Station 11, located just blocks away, spotted a large column of smoke while responding. Upon arrival, crews encountered such an extensive fire in front of the residence that they were initially unable to determine the size of the structure involved.
“The body of fire was so large that the first-arriving officer could not immediately identify the structure,” Portland Fire & Rescue officials said.
Moments later, Rescue 11 personnel conducted a rapid assessment of the property and discovered a resident trapped on the back side of the home. Radio transmissions indicated the urgency of the situation as firefighters worked to reach the individual.
The resident had escaped through a second-story window and was stranded on a roof ledge approximately 15 feet above the ground. Flames and heavy smoke were advancing behind him, and officials said he was considering jumping to safety.
Firefighters from Truck 25 quickly deployed a 20-foot ladder, allowing crews to safely assist the man down from the roof. The rescue was completed as flames were pushing from the window he had used to escape and thick smoke poured from the eaves beneath him.
Officials credited the rapid coordination between Engine 11, Rescue 11, Engine 25 and Truck 25 for preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.
Following the rescue, firefighters faced difficult conditions while battling the blaze. Crews encountered significant clutter both inside the home and throughout the property, slowing access and firefighting operations. Firefighters used saws to cut through walls and floors, deployed interior ladders where stairways had burned away, and rotated through multiple air tanks while searching the structure and extinguishing hidden fire.
An investigation determined the fire originated outside the home. According to fire investigators, an extension cord being used to power a small dormitory-style refrigerator failed, igniting nearby vegetation and combustible materials.
The fire quickly spread to multiple vehicles parked on the property before climbing a large tree whose branches extended over the residence. Flames then spread into the home itself.
Portland Fire & Rescue is reminding residents that appliances should be plugged directly into grounded wall outlets and that extension cords should never be used as permanent wiring.
Despite the intensity of the fire, only one injury was reported. The resident suffered a cut to his arm from broken glass while escaping through the window but declined further medical treatment or transportation to a hospital.
Fire officials praised the actions of the 14 firefighters assigned to Stations 11 and 25, noting that regular multi-company training exercises played a critical role in the successful rescue and coordinated firefighting effort.
“The ability to act smoothly and quickly in situations like this comes from preparation and training,” officials said.
Portland Fire & Rescue also thanked dispatchers at the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) and crews from Portland General Electric for assisting with the incident, including safely de-energizing the residence during firefighting operations.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
