Morning fire chars Powellhurst-Gilbert apartments

See how this outer East Portland apartment complex was saved from total destruction by the alert firefighters in the area …

After this Powellhurst-Gilbert apartment complex fire was extinguished, crews began the process of making sure no live embers remained inside.

By David F. Ashton
Images provided by Portland Fire & Rescue

If it weren’t for observant Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews spotting smoke as they were running errands for their stationhouse, the Heather Lane Apartments at 12920 SE Powell Boulevard might have been leveled by fire on Saturday morning, June 10.

Just after 10:00 a.m., the Engine Company crew, driving their engine on a shopping for the station, saw a large amount of distant smoke and turned to investigate.

It’s clear, looking at the front of this apartment unit, that the timely arrival of observant firefighters was probably all that saved the entire complex from being burned down to the ground.

“When firefighters arrived at the origin of the smoke, they found a single-story apartment unit on fire,” reported PF&R Public Information Officer Rick Graves. “The fire officer in charge called for additional resources and took command, as the driver started putting water on the fire from the outside.”

While the rig’s engineer started the pumps, two of the four firefighters with this engine company quickly donned protective firefighting “turnout” gear and dragged hose lines inside to start fighting the blaze.

At the same time, the engine’s driver checked the neighboring apartments, ensuring that everyone had safely evacuated.

The blaze burned so hot, everything in this apartment, as seen from the back, was consumed.

The fire was knocked down quickly, and crews began the process of “overhaul” – or searching for hidden fire after the main body of the fire was extinguished.

No injuries were reported in association with this fire. The family of three who lived in the affected apartment will be displaced, but are reported to be able to stay with relatives.

Although a PF&R Investigator was called in, the cause of the fire has not yet been publicly announced.

The charred remains of a clothes dryer, and perhaps a table, is all that’s recognizable after this fire was extinguished.

“Due to the diligence of the engine company [which spotted the smoke], the crew arrived as dispatch began receiving calls from the public, and that likely kept the fire from spreading to the other apartments,” Grave said.

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