Second-Alarm Apartment Fire Displaces 10 People in Northeast Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — More than 50 Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters responded to a second-alarm apartment fire in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood Monday morning. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews were dispatched at approximately 10:44 a.m. to a reported apartment fire. The first responding fire engine reported seeing a visible column of smoke, indicating an active fire.

When crews arrived, they found thick, dark smoke pouring from the back of a two-story apartment building containing four units. Firefighters began an aggressive interior attack while the first-arriving truck company was assigned to search and rescue operations. Crews also placed ladders against second-story windows to access the affected portion of the building.

As firefighters worked to control the blaze, a second chief arriving at the scene reported heavy flames coming from the rear of the building that were threatening an adjacent apartment structure.

Command staff requested a second alarm, bringing an additional 24 firefighters to the scene and increasing the total number of PF&R personnel assigned to the incident to more than 50. The additional resources were requested to ensure enough firefighters were available if the fire spread to another building.

The fire was extinguished quickly, and only one engine company from the second-alarm assignment was needed to assist with operations.

No injuries were reported. However, 10 residents will be displaced because of the fire, and the American Red Cross is assisting those affected.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.