Look how, in both cases, quick action by Portland Fire & Rescue crews kept these two outer East Portland incidents from becoming tragedies …
Within a 24-hour period this week, firefighters are called to two unusual fires in outer East Portland.
By David F. Ashton
Two outer East Portland fire incidents this week – one in Montavilla, and another in Lents – were kept from turning into disasters by the swift and professional actions of Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews.
June 2
CHAT workers call in Montavilla squatter house fire
Some firefighters stand by, while others go inside the abandoned house to put out a fire thought to have been caused by squatters. PF&R image
A Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) team from Portland Fire & Rescue, working in the Montavilla neighborhood, noticed a large smoke column rising on Monday morning, June 2, at about 11:00 a.m. and they called it in to dispatchers. It turned out to be erupting from a fire at 8943 SE Division Street.
The two-person Lents Station’s Rescue 11 crew arrived first, and confirmed that smoke was billowing from the front corner of a two-story boarded up “abandoned” house that neighbors said was occupied by squatters. Montavilla Station 19’s Engine Company, soon followed by Mill Park Station 7’s Engine and Ladder Truck companies, were soon at the scene.
With the fire extinguished, crews start loading hose lines back into their engines. PF&R image
A PF&R Investigator talks with an incident commander. PF&R image
Pulling off the boards to enter the structure, firefighters encountered smoke on the first floor, and more dense smoke and flames on the second floor. Crews dragged hose lines into the house and up the stairs and started fighting the fire.
Crews on Woodstock Station 25’s Ladder Truck Company arrived, laddered up to the roof, and cut a hole in the roof to ventilate the trapped hot gasses and smoke.
In the smoke, a victim is found
A fire victim is evaluated before being taken to a local hospital by ambulance.
Although the house was supposed to be vacant, as crews were putting out the fire, they located a possible male victim of the fire. The CHAT crew evaluated the man, and recommended he be taken to a local hospital by ambulance to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Although PF&R Fire Investigations Unit members were called to the scene, so far, the cause has not been divulged.
June 3
Arsonist sets Lents restaurant ablaze
At closing time, an arsonist is captured on video surveillance pouring a flammable substance on the railing of Ka-Te Restaurant and Bar.
Very early on Tuesday morning, June 3, PF&R crews sent on a “FIRE in Commercial Building” dispatch at 1:53 a.m. Firefighters were directed to the house-like tavern at 3554 SE 82nd Avenue – long known as “Greg’s Backyard” – which had closed, and later reopened as the Vietnamese Ka-Te Restaurant and Bar.
“This incident was dispatched to our fire stations as a commercial fire with people trapped on the interior of the structure at this address,” confirmed a PF&R official. On the way, dispatchers told crews that a fire on the patio was encroaching on the structure.
While some firefighters extinguish the fire, others make sure everyone has left the building.
Arriving firefighters found active fire on the backside of the building, with people out in front of the building.
Those outside the building told firefighters they thought everyone had made it out safely; but of course crews went ahead and checked inside to make sure. Crews quicky extinguished the fire in the patio area, and kept it from spreading into the building’s interior.
Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, the Battalion Chief requested the on-duty fire investigator come to the scene.
As seen at work during training, Kiki – the PF&R “Accelerate Detection” dog – sniffs out a “crime scene”. PF&R Image
After interviewing witnesses, evaluating the fire damage, and reviewing footage from the location security camera, the incident commander called in Kiki, the PF&R “Accelerate Detection” dog – who helped confirm that the blaze was indeed caused by an act of arson.
Arson 1 charges are applicable for such an act, and they carry a minimum sentence of 90 months if convicted.
Had this fire spread, it could have burned down this establishment, perhaps with patrons still inside.
If you have information about – or surveillance video of – this act of arson, and have not yet spoken with investigators, please contact 503-823-FIRE (3473); and tell them that it’s regarding Case No. 25-61249
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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