‘Suspicious” fire chars Powellhurst-Gilbert apartment

A ‘detained’ suspect has been released, so Portland Fire & Rescue Arson Investigators are still asking for help solving this potentially-deadly, intentionally-set, blaze …

In the early morning hours, SE Holgate Boulevard is closed down, while firefighters work to put out a blaze, intentionally set at a Powellhurst-Gilbert duplex.

By David F. Ashton

Before their shift change, at 5:50 a.m. on June 8th, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews were dispatched to a fire at 11817 SE Holgate Boulevard – in one of a pair of duplexes on the property.

On the way there, crews from the nearby PF&R Gilbert Station 29’s Engine Company and Mill Park Station 7’s Ladder Truck Company were told by dispatchers that fire and smoke were rising from a recently-vacated apartment in a duplex.

It doesn’t take long for crews to get water on the fire in this duplex unit.

Indeed, the arriving firefighters saw the building with fire in both the first and second levels, smoke on the eave line, and pushing out of the garage as well. While come crewmembers pulled hose lines and hooked up to a hydrant, others searched inside the structure for potential victims.

It only took minutes to suppress the flames and begin ventilating smoke from the scorched unit.

No reported injuries were reported, and the other side of the duplex was unaffected, so the tenants living there were able to stay in their residence.

Firefighters stand down, and await the arrival of the PF&R Fire Investigative Team.

However, there were reports of a suspicious individual on the property – he was quicky detained by a Portland Police Bureau officer until the PF&R Fire Investigative Team arrived. That person was released after questioning.

But, after conducting their examination, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses – and after a PF&R Arson Canine sniffed out evidence – fire investigators announced that this fire in the recently-vacated duplex unit was intentionally set.

Did you see any suspiciously arsonist behavior along SE Holgate Boulevard that morning? If so, let investigators know. PF&R image

Investigators are asking for information about what you saw, if you were traveling along SE Holgate between 05:30 and 05:50 a.m. that morning. Please contact 503-823-FIRE or email Lt Jason Andersen at jason.andersen@police.portlandoregon.gov.

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