PF&R Rescues Resident In Early AM Housefire (Photo) - 06/08/26

PF&R Rescues resident in early AM housefire

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a residential fire in the Lents Neighborhood at just after 5:30 this morning. BOEC dispatched crews with a reported housefire called in by a neighbor indicating a large tree in the front of the home with flames extending into the residence.

Station 11 with a fire engine and rescue located blocks away could see a large header or smoke column on their approach that indicated a working fire. The body of fire was so large out in the front of the home that the first arriving officer on the engine was unable to determine the size of the structure involved in the fire. The report to all other arriving crews was “large body of fire in a home of unknown stories”. The Rescue 11 officer who arrived just after Engine 11 quickly transmitted “Rescue 11 will go mobile and perform a quick 360 and update”.

The updated timestamped information transmitted by the Rescue 11 officer is below. This information was sent in order of importance and as follows (as transcribed in the dispatch call notes) that also incorporates information on the rescue:

• 05:44:39 R11 B/URGENT TRAFF VICT ON BACK SIDE TRYING TO GET TO HIM
• 05:45:21 R11 HOLD A MIN, NEED LADDER TO BACKSIDE TO GET ON ROOF, GETTING TO HIM NOW --- (Rescue Made)
• 05:46:32 R11 1.5 STY W/BASEMENT FRONT SIDE WHERE FIRE SIDE IS GOING PRETTY GOOD - EXT INTO HALF STORY, GETTING LADDER TO VICT ON BRAVO SIDE

Station 25 arrived as the above information was being sent out and got to work assisting Station 11 with the incident. Members assigned to the engine worked toward establishing a water supply by connecting to the closest fire hydrant while members assigned to Truck 25 grabbed a 20’ straight ladder to perform the needed rescue. The male resident was located on the ledge of a roof with fire growing behind him, pushing out the window used to escape the flames. He was considering jumping from the roof structure with the Rescue 11 officer communicating the urgency of a ladder at the location to limit any potential injuries certain to be sustained by the jump from the roof that was a minimum 15’ above ground level. Truck 25 was able to get the ladder placed and assist the resident safely down the ladder as flames were pushing out the window around him and heavy smoke pushing out at the eave line just below where he was perched.

In a period of less than 2 minutes the Rescue 11 officer was able to inform the command officer of a rescue need, coordinate the rescue, and provide an update on the structure involved to the command officer who was unable to determine structure sized due to large body of fire in tree preventing a good view of the home involved in the incident.

Crews encountered a significant amount of clutter in the yard and throughout the home slowing access and the progress of extinguishment of the flames. Crews used saws to cut open holes in walls and floors to gain access, used ladders on the interior of the home with stairs completely burned out, and went through many air bottles as they worked to search the home and extinguish the fire.

The Fire Investigator determined this fire started on the exterior due to the use of an extension cord powering up a smaller dormitory style refrigerator. The extension cord failure led to a fire in the vegetation and other nearby fuels. This fire extended into multiple vehicles parked on the property and up the large tree with limbs hanging over the home and then extended into the home itself. PF&R would like to remind you that all appliances should be plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet and never use an extension cord as permanent wiring.

The primary challenges on this response was addressing the large body of fire with the excessive amount of clutter and fuels littered about throughout the property, both inside the home and within the fence line. The only injury reported was sustained by the occupant who cut their arm on the broken glass of the window used during the escape of the second story living space. The occupant denied the need for transport or elevated medical evaluation.

The successes seen through the challenges were the direct result of a quick arrival by the members of Engine and Rescue 11 along with Engine and Truck 25 shortly after. A coordinated effort made by the 14 members assigned to those 2 stations certainly saved the life of the resident. This speaks to the preplanned actions employed upon arrival of Rescues-Engines-Trucks (water supply-extinguishment-search and rescue etc) coordinating their efforts in tasks essential upon arrival. The ability to act smoothly and quickly in situations like this is not only in the planning of actions prior to arrival but that actual getting together and performing these types of tasks in multi company training exercises. Multi-company drills occur regularly throughout PF&R that allows crews from neighboring fire stations to connect and go through the paces of a “mock incident” so when we face a true emergency, our crews are well prepared to work together in addressing the emergency. This rescue is a direct reflection of preparation.

Portland Fire would like to thank the dispatchers at BOEC for their assistance in this incident along with PGE who responded to assist in de-energizing the home for our safe operation.

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PF&R Responds To Floating Homes Fire On The Columbia (Photo) - 05/29/26

PF&R Responds to floating homes fire on the Columbia

At 3:50 AM PF&R was dispatched to the 1500 Block of N. Marine Drive with reports of a floating home on fire in the Pier West Floating Home Community located on the Columbia River south of Hayden Island at the base of the I5 Bridge from heading into Oregon. Responding crews could see the glow of the fire and see a heavy presence of smoke floating along the river to know there was a working fire upon their arrival as they approached. With 2 floating homes showing heavy fire and the flames impinging upon the surrounding homes located a few feet apart, quick actions needed to be taken immediately.

Truck 8 arrived to see residents of the homes dipping buckets into the river and tossing onto flames in an attempt at extinguishing the fire. The crew located the gangplank access of the docks and immediately moved into addressing life safety concerns by directing the members of the "community bucket brigade" to get onto land away from the fire while starting to make any available rescue. One home was already completely consumed by fire and not survivable, so the crew made entry into the other home showing heavy fire to be turned back by the flames and heat on the interior. They moved to the next home, made entry, roused the occupants from their sleep and escorted them to safety uninjured. All other residents were aware of the significant fire located at the end of the dock and were either safe on land or sheltering in place in their homes a distance away from the main body of fire. (It was discovered after the flames were extinguished that all occupants in the two fire affected homes were safe and uninjured.)

The next arriving crews were focused on water supply and fire suppression. The Fire Department Connection (FDC) that supplies the standpipes that run the length of the dock was located and pumped into by Engine 26 with Engine 14 and Engine 24 involved with carrying hose lines on their shoulders and connecting to the standpipe connections at the dock to use in applying water onto the homes that were burning. Engine 22 joined in the suppression actions along with acting as the land side focused rescue team if needed.

A second alarm assignment was requested with a possible need for a longer lay in connection to a different fire hydrant that would have required multiple engines to successfully complete. Additionally, with multiple homes already being consumed with fire and 2 others being impinged upon by the body of fire, the command officer was quickly going through all the responders assigned on the first alarm response. Not many of the second alarm companies were assigned to perform much work as the first alarm assignment was able to work through the challenges of the scene and reduce the flames quickly without the need for replacement. Truck 13 of the second alarm was directed to provide mcuh needed lighting as best possible as the available lights on the dock itself were quite minimal.

Fire Boat 80 from PDX Airport Fire responded alongside PF&R Fire Boat 17 stationed on Hayden Island who were addressing the incident from the water with FB 17 focused as the water side rescue team if any firefighter fell into the river, the fire boat would be assigned rescue, FB 80 was assigned to pump water from the river and apply water on the most damaged home using their deck gun/turret.

The significant body of fire from the 2 homes had so much heat radiating off that a home under construction 50’ away was charred on the face closest to the fire. A fire crew was assigned to this home to ensure the fire did not extend any further and cause more damage.

All fire threat was eliminated in the initial 20 minutes of the incident with the long mop up process continuing through the rest of the day. The PF&R-PPB Fire Investigations Unit is on scene interviewing residents and performing a physical forensic evaluation to determine cause. There were 2 floating homes completely lost in this fire, 1 under construction that received a bit of charring, and a fourth that had a screen door pulled away making entry for rescue. All other homes were unaffected. There were no injuries reported.

Addressing a fire on a floating home presents many different challenges to responding firefighters. Portland Fire & Rescue has a rule that when firefighters are working on or around water, they are required to always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device. This is best placed under the turnout coat but may be placed on the top of the coat and under the air pack but in either location the added bulk makes firefighting tasks a bit more challenging. The water supply can be difficult with few hydrants and locating the FDC in the dark may slow down the process of getting water to the nozzle. The numerous tripping hazards present along the walkway increase the danger and chances a firefighter may trip and end up in the river with all of their gear and perhaps a tool. Lastly, the homes are simply lashed to a cleat on the dock that can be burned through and find the home ablaze floating freely in the river.

Portland Fire would like to thank PDX Airport Fire and their assistance from their fireboat. Additionally, PF&R appreciates the response across the river from 3 Vancouver Fire Engines that responded on the second alarm request. Lastly, we would like to thank PGE and their response to address the concerns of the electrical system supporting all the floating homes in the community. 

Something to take note of this incident is the very last few hours of the on-duty deputy chief’s career with Chief Aimee Rooney officially retiring at 8 AM, the time of PF&R Shift Change. Chief Rooney responded to the incident, coordinated base to liaise between the command officer to assign and direct the second responders. Chief Rooney also focused her efforts on those affected by the fire and liased on their behalf with the Red Cross to ensure everyone was safely taken care of. This incident was her last moment of impact in a 30 year career of huge impacts to PF&R including being honored as the PF&R Firefighter of the Year over a decade ago. 

• First Alarm Assignment:
  • Engine 14 - Vernon Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Engine 22 - St. John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Engine 24 - Overlook Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Engine 26 - University Park Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Truck 8  - Arbor Lodge Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Truck 22 - St John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • Fireboat 17 - Hayden Island - 4 Members
  • Fireboat 80 - PDS Airport - Staffed by their appropriate number of crew members to operate.
  • C2 - Command Officer of the incident - Single Battalion Chief
  • C1 - Safety Chief - Single Battalion Chief
  • C103 - On Duty Deputy Chief - Coordinated with residents
• Second Alarm Assignment Assigned work:
  • Engine 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
  • Truck 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
  • Rehab 5 - Hillsdale Neighborhood - 4 Members
  • C4 - Coordinated Base - Single Battalion Chief
  • PIO 350 - Coordinated with Media on scene - Single PF&R Firefighter 
• Total on scene - just short of 50 firefighters working this incident with 16 that responded and not assigned any work.

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PF&R Responded To Early AM Residential Fire. (Photo) - 05/24/26

PF&R responded to early AM residential fire.

At 4:34 this morning Portland Fire was called to a house fire in the Kenton neighborhood of North Portland. 911 callers reported fire on the front of the house with two potential victims still in the house.

Engine 26 was the first arriving unit and reported heavy fire on the front of the home. Firefighters from Engine 26 immediately stretched hose lines into the house and began an aggressive offensive fire attack while the from Truck 8 entered the home from two separate access points to conduct a search. An occupant was located outside the structure, and he indicated that he had jumped from a second story window to escape the fire and that there was still a person in the house. This occupant was able to give firefighters a probable location of the second occupant. With this information the crew from Truck 8 was able to conduct a targeted search in the given location. Firefighters located the victim and quickly removed him from the house and passed him off to Engine 24 to begin immediate medical care. Firefighters from Engine 24 rode to the hospital with AMR to continue to provide advanced life support measures to the patient. 

While the patient was being transported firefighters continued to attack the fire. Engine 22 brought an additional hose line to the rear of the structure while Truck 22 cut ventilation holes in the roof to help clear smoke and flammable gases from the building. Engine 17 brought a hose line up to the second floor to attack the fire that was in the attic. Multiple holes were cut in the roof and attic walls to access the fire to ensure that there were not any remaining hot spots. 

While firefighters were continuing to fight the fire a second ambulance was called for the occupant that had jumped from the second story window. This patient was transported with non-life-threatening injuries. 

PF&R Training Specialists at Station 2 added themselves and their crew to this incident and responded with the fire engine and fire truck located in the Argay Terrace Neighborhood. This was the first tour of duty for the newest members of PF&R to graduate from the training academy and begin to respond with the training specialists. This designed training pathway allows the newest members to experience significant emergency responses with focused educational intentions and will use these incidents to create a foundation of skills to be continuously honed throughout their career.

Investigators with the Portland Fire Investigations Unit will be working to determine a cause. PF&R shift change occurred while this incident was active with oncoming crews responding to the incident location to relieve the firefighters that began their shift 24 hours earlier on the previous calendar date.

Portland Fire would like to thank our partners at AMR, Portland Police and the local utilities for their assistance at this event.

• PF&R Responders      
  • Station 26 – Engine 26 – 4 members
  • Station 8 – Truck 8 – 4 members
  • Station 24 – Engine 24 and C2 – 5 members
  • Station 22 – Engine 22 and Truck 22 – 8 members
  • Station 17 – Engine 17 – 4 members
  • Station 3 – C2 – 1 member
  • Station 2 – Engine 2 and Truck 2 – 9 members
  • Fire Investigation Unit – 5 members and the Arson K9 member
• Total Responders
  • 40 sworn firefighters
  • One Arson K9 – Kiki - Accelerant Detecting Dog

(Additional information and images will be added to this post as they become available.)

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Victim Update: Roger Woolf, the 69 year old male victim rescued in this incident did not survive the injuries received as a result of this fire.