Find out why this fire, a half-block south of Glendoveer, drew so many Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters to the scene of this conflagration …
-1 In the Hazelwood neighborhood, a house fire turned into a potential battle scene, after ammo stored in the garage started to explode. PF&R image
By David F. Ashton
A fire the erupted from behind the residence at 347 NE 136th Avenue – midblock between East Burnside and Glisan streets – on Thursday evening, May 2 lead to multiple Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews being dispatched at 7:57 p.m.
Listening as PF&R crews. listening to their radios while on their way to the fire, reported back to dispatchers that a large, dark column that rose skyward from this fire, and could be seen from as far away as the Hollywood District, PDX International Airport, and from the West Hills.
These dispatched Engine Companies were communicating among one another, developing a strategy of establishing a water supply, while they were in route.
-2 A Battalion Chief watches as the fire burns hot in the back of the house. Greg Muhr photo
Reports from Bureau of Emergency Communication Fire Dispatchers informed crews on their way that the fire that began in a solarium area of the home and that all residents were safely outside – but, two pets remaining unaccounted for.
PF&R Gateway Station No. 30’s Engine Company was the first to arrive; and reported, indeed, “heavy fire activity” on the back side of the home. Crew members pulled a hose line to the back of the home and began to spray water on the fire which was now running from the basement up into the attic area of the single-story dwelling.
A second Engine Company arrives …
Three minutes later, the second arriving Engine Company from Mill Park Station No.7 hooked up their rig to the closest fire hydrant and connected to the pumping engine. Then, the then grabbed a hose line and began to stretch the line to the front door.
These firefighters took their hose line inside, found the stairs to the basement. In thick dark smoke, found and extinguished the bulk of the fire in the basement area of the home.
After ammo and gunpowder starts exploding in the garage, firefighters are ordered to retreat to a safe distance. PF&R image
At the same time, the PF&R Parkrose Station No. 2 and Mill Park Station No. 7 Ladder Truck firefighters were assigned to search the residence and saw holes in the roof, providing “vertical ventilation” to release the hot gasses and smoke trapped in the home.
As crews in the basement and main floors were putting out the fire; they found more in the attic space. That fire grew and spread across the attic and began to drop fire into the former garage, converted into a living space, heavily cluttered with flammable items.
Ammo dump ablaze triggers second alarm
Using high-powered, engine-mounted turret nozzles, crews pour water on the blazing, exploding, garage and house. Greg Muhr photo
This fire, dropping down from the attic, begin to grow, triggering with small explosions in the garage. The homeowner told the Battalion Chief that there was “ballistic ammunition” stored in the garage and attic space.
As the fire impinged on thousands of bullets and explosive powder, crews were ordered out of the structure. They squirted water on the fire through holes in the roof and other openings in the home from a safe distance.
Here’s a look at this firefight from the air, taken from an UAV (drone) operated by Glynn Jones. Courtesy of PF&R
A second pumping engine, attached to a different fire hydrant, was kept at a safe distance from the ammo and powder exploding in the garage. Crews used handheld fire hoses, along with using the roof mounted turret, to put as much water onto and into the structure as possible, while remaining a safe distance away due to bullets continuing to explode.
Loud explosions call for tactical shift
“There were a few larger explosions that occurred both in the former garage area and in the attic, leading the command staff to direct the companies to continue a ‘defensive fire attack strategy’ for the safety of all on scene,” a PF&R official told reporters. “A second alarm assignment was requested by Command at around the 30-minute mark to be certain there was enough personnel on scene to address the length of the incident.”
In just over an hour, the fire was under control and “second-alarm crews” were released back to their home stations.
Firefighters continue to douse the house with water. PF&R image
An occupant of the house was medically evaluated on scene and taken to a local hospital for evaluation of smoke inhalation during the early stages of the fire. Two PF&R Investigators came to do forensic evaluation and interview occupants to begin to discover the cause.
Needless to say, this fire remains under investigation.
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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