Portland Fire responds to 2 alarm commercial fire

April 21, 2024 17:10

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Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a commercial fire located in the Overlook Neighborhood of North Portland at about 10:15am this morning. The approximately 10,000 square foot building housed an automotive repair shop in one half and a space that was currently vacant in the other half.

The first arriving truck company reported brown smoke coming from the garage bay door and as they were attempting to make entry realized the smoke was under significant pressure. At about that same time the first engine company and Chief Officer were arriving, and it was determined that the building needed to be ventilated prior to entry and a defensive fire attack was initiated. Due to the size of the building and the dangerous smoke conditions Command also called for a 2nd alarm at this time.

This was a warehouse style building with very few windows and the fire yet to breach the roof, so it was determined that a large hole needed to be cut in the roof to provide pressure relief and allow firefighters to make entry to find and extinguish the fire. While the vertical ventilation was being done on the roof firefighters on the ground were preparing to make entry by forcing open locked doors but keeping them closed and preparing to cut holes in the large bay doors while also preparing hose lines for an offensive fire attack.

Once the hole was cut in the roof the dangerous smoke conditions quickly improved allowing for an offensive fire attack. Crews entered the building, quickly found and extinguished the fire and the fire was recalled about 30 minutes after the initial call. A few crews remained on scene after the recall to assist in ventilating the building and to continue to look for hot spots.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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