PF&R Responds To Early Morning 2nd Alarm Commercial Fire (Photo) - 01/24/26

This morning at about 5:30am Portland Fire was called to a commercial fire in the vicinity of NE 127^th and Marx St.  The initial caller reported seeing smoke from a building west of them but were unable to give an exact address.  While enroute to the call the first arriving company noted a “header” or a large column of smoke coming from the roof and upon arrival it was noted heavy smoke coming from several bay doors of the building as well as the roof. 

All first arriving crews were quickly put to work establishing a water supply, forcible entry and search as well as fire attack.  Due to the large size of the commercial warehouse building, approximately 100’ x 300’ along with the amount of fire, a 2^nd alarm was called just a couple minutes after arrival of the first engine and truck.

It was quickly determined that this concrete tilt-up style warehouse contained several businesses, but they all were closed and no employees were on-site, so a defensive fire attack was initiated.  Elevated master streams were set up to attack the fire from above as sections of the roof had burned through.  Additionally, large hose lines were deployed to attack the fire through openings along the sides of the building, including several bay doors that had been forced open by firefighters.

Crews faced several difficulties during this incident including freezing temperatures which caused the surrounding parking lot and street to turn icy thus making moving around on the fire ground extra slow and difficult.  The first arriving crew was told by a by-stander that this building contained compressed gas cylinders which can become dangerous when exposed to fire conditions, and water pressure always becomes an issue when trying to implement several master streams during a defensive fire attack.  Crews were able to help mitigate this issue by cutting a hole in a fence and use a fire hydrant that was fed by a different water main.

The fire was under control after about 1 hour, but a small number of crews will remain on scene throughout the day, and possibly longer, to put out hot spots.  Investigators are currently working to determine the cause.

Portland Fire would like to thank our partners at Gresham Fire who responded on the second alarm, Portland Water Bureau, as well as Portland General Electric and Northwest Natural who responded to the scene to assist with the utilities.

Portland Firefighters Respond To Two Separate But Significant Fires Overnight (Photo) - 01/19/26

Last night just after 11:30 PM PF&R was called to the 3300 block of N. Willamette Blvd on reports of flames from the roof of a church. Due to the size of the structure and multiple reports indicating a possible large fire, command called for a second alarm while enroute. On arrival firefighters did indeed find a portion of the roof on fire and began working to stop the fire's spread.

Due to the hour, the church was empty, so after a brief search firefighters were able to focus all resources on confining and extinguishing the fire on the roof. A large portion of the roof structure had to be cut away to ensure that no hidden fire was present inside. Firefighters began the overhaul process (searching for and extinguishing any hidden fire after the main body of fire is knocked down). The fire was recalled (declared under control) and investigators began their work to determine the cause. The investigation is ongoing.

This morning just before 5:00 AM, Portland Fire crews were called to an apartment building on the 7500 block of SW 71st. Arriving firefighters found fire burning in a second floor bedroom. A search indicated that no one was at home. The fire was extinguished, recalled and the overhaul process commenced. An investigation determined that this fire was caused by a space heater.

• Keep portable and space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Keep children and pets away from heaters and never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.
• Plug directly into an outlet and do not use extension cords.

Photo credits to PF&R Photographers Greg Muir and Dennis Weis

PF&R Responds To A Commercial Fire At The Lloyd District Red Robin Restaurant (Photo) - 01/19/26

Early this morning, PF&R Station 13 responded to a reported fire at the Red Robin restaurant located on NE Grand Avenue in the Lloyd District. On arrival, crews found an exterior fire burning against the south wall of the building near the Denny’s parking lot. A cleaning crew on scene advised firefighters that the fire had extended to the interior of the building.

Crews made entry and confirmed fire extension inside the wall space, prompting the incident commander to upgrade the response to a full first-alarm (box) assignment.

Firefighters quickly opened the affected wall and extinguished the fire before it could spread further. Early notification by the cleaning crew and the rapid actions of responding companies prevented the fire from extending upward into the concealed attic/cockloft space above the sprinkler system. Extension into that area would have resulted in a major fire impacting the entire building.

Thanks to the quick call to 911 and coordinated firefighting efforts, crews were able to contain the fire and prevent more significant damage. No injuries were reported due to this fire. The building fire started due to a warming fire in a houseless camp. 

PF&R asks the public to use safe means to stay warm as our temperatures drop. In this case a building was damaged, but we often see injuries associated with unsafe heating methods.

-Keep outside fires contained in a metal container, only burn clean firewood when allowed and make sure they are at least 15' from a structure.

-Don't use stoves or other makeshift aids for heat. This can lead to fire, injury or CO poinsoning.

-Keep an eye on neighbors especially the elderly as they can be more vulnerable to changing conditions.

Photo Credit to PF&R Photographer Dennis Weis

PF&R Responds To Pedestrian Struck By Freight Train - 01/15/26

PF&R responds to pedestrian struck by freight train

At just before 7 PM Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a freight train striking a pedestrian alongside the Union Pacific railroad tracks in the NE Portland Wilkes Neighborhood. Union Pacific officials connected with BOEC dispatchers to generate a response to the area of NE 158^th and Rose Parkway which was the closest identifiable location to the possible incident. Initially the incident was categorized as a railway derailment but was quickly confirmed to be a pedestrian struck reducing the response by nearly 50%. Reports from the train conductor of the eastbound train were there was a belief someone was struck around the area of NE 158^th but by the time the train was able to come to a stop, the locomotive was already 23-30 blocks to the east and there was no visible confirmation of a victim which makes location a challenge as the stopped train prevents the ability to safely access the opposite side of the tracks for responders and vehicular travel is very limited along this section of the railroad tracks forcing a hike from either the East or West.

Gresham Fire Engine 74 traveling westbound on I84 was the first response vehicle on scene followed by Portland Fire Engine 30. The victim was visible from I 84 lying on the south side of the railroad tracks and was seen moving indicating this was not a fatal event. Crews used a 24’ extension ladder to descend from the freeway the 12’-15’ to the level of the railroad tracks and made access to the patient, a houseless adult (mid-40’s – gender unknown) and performed appropriate medical care in this traumatic event. The victim complained primarily of hip pain leading to crews performing appropriate interventions for this and all other treatments given the mechanism of injury.

While medical interventions were taking place alongside the tracks, other crews on scene repositioned the ladder to the full 24’ extension providing for a very slight angle from the freeway down to the level of the railroad tracks. This permitted crews to use this ladder as a safe pathway up to the waiting AMR ambulance for transport to the hospital. Crews used the specifically designed low angle rope system as both a safety and assistance device to move the patient up the ladder along with members ensuring the backboard carrying the patient advanced in a slow, safe, controlled manner to the freeway. The patient was in critical condition and was entered into the trauma system, so the appropriate medical team was ready to properly treat the patient upon arrival at the medical facility.

Portland Fire would like to remind you that walking alongside an active railroad line is extremely dangerous and encourages everyone to refrain from such activities. Transit along sidewalks or properly designed safe walking paths is a far better option.

Portland Fire would like to thank the officials of Union Pacific, our partners at Gresham Fire, the dispatchers at BOEC, the transporting crew of AMR, and Portland Police for their assistance in this emergency incident.

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PF&R Responds To Residential Fire With Fire Victim. (Photo) - 01/12/26

PF&R responds to residential fire with fire victim.

At 6:56 AM Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a residential fire in the Piedmont Neighborhood of NE Portland. Reports were possible structure fire with flames seen in the front room. Engine 14 arrived to confirm light lazy smoke wafting out from under the porch overhang of a 1 ½ story home with a basement and directed the crew to make entry for investigation.

Upon forcing the door, a dose of fresh oxygen caused a quick burst of fire growth of the smoldering fire located in the front room. Although thick smoke was banked down from the ceiling and evident that the entire second level was filled with smoke, the fire was easily visible under the layer of smoke. A water supply was established from the hydrant located to the north while crews extended hose lines into the structure and applied water on the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and fire crews pulled ceiling in the front room for any possible fire extension upward into the second level. Clean lath boards used in the ceiling indicated no upward extension of the flameshad occured in this instance. Further checks for extension were made to the immediate area and the basement showed no signs of fire activity nearly confirming the fire was exclusively located in the front room area of the 2061 square foot residence.

Truck crews were directed to perform a search of the structure and located an adult female fire victim on the second floor in an upstairs bedroom and brought her downstairs and out to the front for medical care. Fire crews and AMR personnel performed medical interventions on scene prior to transporting the fire victim in critical condition to the hospital for elevated care. (The condition of the fire victim is not known by PF&R at the time of posting.)

The suspected cause of this fire is use of an extension cord on an auxiliary space heater. Any large appliance, including portable space heaters and air conditioners should always be plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet and never into a power strip or extension cord.

Additionally, working smoke detectors save lives. No audible smoke alarms were activated or noticed upon the arrival of fire crews. These audible alarms are designed to alert occupants of a potential fire danger increasing survivability in a fire emergency.

Lastly, the home was heavily cluttered which makes it difficult to search and move hoses throughout the interior of the home. Additionally, this clutter is very difficult navigate for anyone, occupants included, when the presence of smoke prevents clear visibility. Taking time to eliminate clutter in your home or the home of a loved one can be very helpful if there is ever a need for an emergency response to the location.

Portland Fire would like to thank the BOEC dispatch center for their assistance in this emergency as well as the volunteers from TIPS NW who responded to assist in addressing the emotional impact of this incident on the immediate neighbors of this emergency incident.

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