Giant potholes in this unimproved road slowed their response slightly, but they didn’t let that stop them from arriving quickly …
By the time we arrived at this Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood home, Portland Fire & Rescue crews had put the fire out.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Fire trucks racing to the scene of a house fire on SE 117th Ave., just south of SE Reedway St. slowed to a crawl when the turned south from SE Harold Street.
“Can you believe these potholes?” remarked Battalion Chief Terry Munro, in charge of fighting the blaze.
Nevertheless, they arrived on scene just four minutes after the call came in and started fighting the fire in a single-story home.
“When we arrived there was fire showing through the walls,” Munro told us. “We first searched the home, and it was vacant.”
Potholes the size of small ponds slowed the arrival of the fire trucks – but not by much – it must have been a bumpy ride, however!
Firefighters first attacked the visible flames in the kitchen and bedroom of the house while other crew members took a look in the basement. They discovered that the upstairs fire was an extension from the basement.
“We fought the fire on both levels,” Monro commented as the 24 firefighers who responded started to pack up their gear.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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