HILLSBORO, Ore. — A commercial building in Hillsboro sustained fire damage Sunday morning after flames spread into the ceiling and ductwork, prompting a first-alarm response from multiple fire agencies.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., Washington County 911 received reports of heavy, dark smoke coming from the roof of a one-story commercial building in the 11100 block of NE Evergreen Parkway. Additional callers, including employees and people in the surrounding shopping center, reported that occupants were evacuating the building, fire alarms were sounding, and the smoke was becoming increasingly heavy.
As additional emergency calls came in, the incident was upgraded to a first-alarm fire, bringing additional firefighters and equipment to the scene.
The first engine company arrived to find smoke coming from the roof and immediately launched an aggressive interior attack through the main entrance of the affected business. Firefighters quickly knocked down the main body of the fire but discovered that flames had extended into the ceiling void and the building’s ductwork.
A Hillsboro Fire & Rescue truck company ventilated the roof to release heat and smoke while other crews searched neighboring businesses within the building to ensure the fire had not spread. Firefighters also shut off gas and electrical service and secured the building’s sprinkler system after it activated during the fire.
A thorough search of the building confirmed that everyone had safely evacuated before crews arrived. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour extinguishing hot spots hidden within the ceiling and ductwork before completing overhaul operations. Emergency vehicles temporarily impacted access to nearby businesses while crews worked in the shared parking lot.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Hillsboro Fire & Rescue investigators.
Following the incident, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue reminded the public to have at least two ways out of any building and encouraged business owners to regularly practice emergency evacuation plans with employees. Officials also stressed the importance of following illuminated exit signs, closing fire doors after exiting to slow the spread of smoke and flames, gathering at a designated meeting location, and never re-entering a building until emergency personnel declare it safe.
Assisting at the scene were Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Police, the Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA 911), AMR Ambulance, NW Natural, and Portland General Electric.
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