INCLUDES ‘ELECTRIFYING’ AFTERMATH VIDEO | Here’s what we’ve found out about the blaze that seriously damaged a home on the edge of this “city within the City of Portland” …
After firefighters force open the garage door, they begin fighting the fire from the front of the house.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It seems like everyone was moving slowly the Monday afternoon of July 8 as a heat-wave was suffocating outer East Portland – that is, except for crews with Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R).
At 12:28 p.m., a contingent of PF&R firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 4339 NE 102nd Avenue – just inside the boundary of the independent City of Maywood Park – and within just three minutes, the Madison South Station 12 Engine Company crew pulled up there.
After arriving in minutes, crews make quick work of putting out this fire.
On arrival, firefighters found flames in a garage, and moving up the wall of the adjoining house into its attic.
While come firefighters searched the house to ensure nobody was trapped inside, others were hooking up their water supply hose lines to the engine to began fighting the fire.
Notice the taped-off area in the front yard – an electrical power line, burned off the house, is still zapping and sizzling in the barkdust.
Watch as firefighter finish putting out this fire, and as a Pacific Power lineman disconnects the still-energized electric power line:
“One person was found outside the house, experiencing a medical issue that didn’t appear to be life-threatening; that person was evaluated at the scene and taken to a local hospital,” reported PF&R Public Information Officer Rick Graves. “No injuries or other medical issues were reported.”
A Pacific Power lineman eventually arrives, and cuts the fallen power line off at the pole.
The PF&R Battalion Chief told East Portland News that an energized electrical power line burned off the house, and landed within feet of a firefighter. The electric line stayed energized – sizzling and sparking – and igniting dry grass near the front of the yard.
“This fire was difficult to extinguish, due to downed power lines, as well as other hazards inside the garage – and with outside temperatures hovering around 100°,” commented Graves.
Firefighters look into the garage, and at the vehicle, too badly burned to be identified.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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