It remains unclear why police were called the area the day before the blaze …
A Portland Fire & Rescue crew pulls water lines from the back of their fire engine, as they fight the Lents neighborhood residential fire.
By David F. Ashton
Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were dispatched for a “Priority Welfare Check” to the 5500 Block of SE 86th Avenue, in the Lents neighborhood, on February 13, at 7:41 p.m. The outcome of that call is as yet unavailable.
What is clear is that the Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Station 11 crew and other stations rolled to the very same block in outer East Portland, at 12:22 p.m. on February 14, this time responding to a duplex fire at 5539 SE 86th Avenue.
With a ventilation fan working to clear the air from the structure, firefighters continue to work inside the duplex to extinguish the fire. Dick Harris, PF&R photo
“When firefighters arrived they reported seeing fire and smoke coming from one side of the duplex,” remarked PF&R spokesman Jesse Altig.
“Firefighters made entry, and confirmed that all occupants were out of each side of the structure,” Altig said. “Other crew members quickly extinguished the fire.”
The fire was contained to one unit and no injuries were associated with this fire. “A fire investigator was called to determine the cause of the fire,” Altig noted. “The area of origin was the living room and the combined damages are estimated at $170,000.”
A firefighter muscles a powerful saw to cut off parts of the eaves and roof that still harbor live embers. Dick Harris, PF&R photo
American Red Cross Cascades Region spokesman Dennis Kelly said volunteers assisted two adults displaced by the fire, providing them with food, clothing, lodging, shoes, comfort kits, and information about disaster health and mental health services.
© 2015 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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