Tag Archives: Oregon

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for commercial fire at roofing plant; No injuries reported

Portland Fire responds to third alarm industrial fire overnight.

At 12:29 AM BOEC tapped out a commercial fire in the NW Industrial District at the Owens Corning Portland Roofing Plant with reports of a commercial fire alarm. This industrial plant is located near the corner of NW Yeon and NW 35th Ave. The initial reports were of a water flow activation from the interior fire suppression system that automatically contacts the dispatch center with information of a possible fire. Crews arrived to find plant personnel evacuating and a significant amount of smoke pushing from a centrally located smokestack of the facility. There was an initial concern that water application would be ineffective in addressing this fire leading the command officer to request Foam Unit 24 (FU-24) and the large foam firefighting equipment housed at the airport by PDX Port Fire. In the end, an internal sprinkler and large bore hose lines banking water off the roof cooled and extinguished the flames. There were no reported injuries.

As crews were arriving there was a significant amount of smoke pushing out of a centrally located smokestack with plant personnel evacuating the structure. The loud internal warning system that was directing people to evacuate the building due to fire was looping each 15 seconds with the message “Fire – Evacuate the building – Fire – Evacuate the building”. This industrial plant produces roofing materials, and the large machinery used to heat up a tar solution to apply to roofing tiles was on fire with flames showing from the machinery that is used to heat up and move the solution through the plant.

Plant personnel met with arriving crews and stated that application of water on the fire is not advised as there would be a large and volatile steam reaction of the water onto the hot tar product. There was an inhouse CO2 extinguishing fire suppression system in place that was activated and overrun by the amount of fire present in this emergency which alarmed both plant personnel and responding crews. This directed the command officer to request the multiple foam units along with the PF&R Hazardous Materials Team and Coordinator. There was a concern that the fire would extend from the machinery into the pans and troughs filled with the slurry of tar products and extend to the multiple storage tanks on the exterior of the structure located on the complex. This increased fire activity could lead to the entire storage vats becoming overrun with fire with a significant amount of stored fuels involved. To be certain there were enough firefighters on scene to address what could have potentially been a long and extended fire, the command officer requested up to a third alarm assignment during the arrival, education, and planning phases of this emergency response.

The priority of the responding firefighters was to find the power shut off to stop the flow of electricity into the machinery. This securing of the electrical system was performed by a crew early on with the assistance and direction of plant personnel. Once power had been secured, a fire suppression plan could be enacted. This initial plan involved large amounts of foam from the specialized fire apparatus on scene from PF&R and Airport Fire to flow a foam solution safely into the area affected by flames to extinguish the fire to not have a steam production emergency due to the water hitting the hot tarry solution.

Crews on the interior noticed a single interior fire sprinkler head had been activated and was raining down water onto the machinery and was able to connect with plant personnel to discover that water can be applied to the machinery but direct waterflow into the pans and troughs filled with the slurry of hot tar is ill advised due to the possible steam production. This redirected command to put two large bore nozzles hoses in place on the interior of the facility to bounce off the ceiling and rain down water to cool and extinguish the flames within the machinery of the plant.

The elimination of the electricity to the machinery along with the large amounts of water raining down on the area affected by bouncing the water off the ceiling suppressed the fire in a 10-minute period. Quick extinguishment of this large industrial fire resulted in a small amount of damage to the facility. All water used in extinguishing the flames was captured by the in-house water retention system and not released back into the municipal water system. The bulk of the second alarm assignment was released within the first hour of the incident with PF&R crews remaining on scene to assist plant personnel in wrapping up this emergency.

PF&R would like to thank the dispatchers at BOEC for their assistance along with PPB Patrol Officers who provided traffic control allowing our crews to operate safely along HWY 30/NW Yeon. PF&R would also like to thank the members of PGE for responding to the site to assist in addressing the flow of electricity in the aerial powerlines in the area.

Other - Storage / Warehouse, Storage / Warehouse

Eugene, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at storage facility; No injuries reported

A fire broke out on a soundstage Sunday night, at Chambers Communication in the 2900 block of Chad Drive, in Eugene.

At approximately 7:53 p.m. on September 22, 2024, Ladder 6 was dispatched from the Sheldon station for Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) to a fire alarm at Sound Stage 4 on the property.

After arriving, crews found smoke pouring from the building and an alarm sounding, ESF tells us.

ESF called for a first alarm and began to work on building access. Fire crews tell us that the large warehouse style sound stage was being utilized as storage for a local second hand retailer to store holiday inventory.

Thanks to a functioning sprinkler system and a lengthy battle from fire crews, the fire was contained, and no injuries were reported.

Due to the large amount of smoke and some collapsing of of the stored goods, the fire was difficult to access.

Fire crews say the building’s sprinkler system played a crucial role in keeping the fire from spreading.

While inside, the partial collapse of stacked boxes forced the team to evacuate temporarily before regrouping to move hazards.

ESF tells us that large warehouse buildings can pose various risks for getting lost, collapsing inventory or cold smoke explosions.

The fire was contained to the inventory in the building and there were no injuries reported.

  • 6 engines
  • 2 trucks
  • 2 chiefs
  • 1 medic
  • 1 EMS supervisor
  • 1 support unit
  • 1 deputy fire marshal responded

This is a developing story; the cause of the fire is still under investigation; we will bring you more details when we receive them.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at eight-story building; No injuries reported

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at an eight-story building in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood.

Just after 8 p.m., Portland Fire and Rescue stated via a post on X that they and Clackamas Fire were on the scene of the building, “with fire showing from the 5th and 6th floors” and that a second alarm was requested.

Joint Office of Homeless Services touts housing increase

After 20 minutes, PF&R made another post saying the fire was extinguished and that no injuries were reported.

A KOIN 6 News videographer was on the scene where black soot could be seen marking multiple balconies on the building’s upper level.

“This fire began on the on balcony of a 5th occupancy that extended up to the 6th and dropped fire embers to have active fire on the 3rd and 4th levels,” PF&R said in a subsequent post. “Hand held hose lines and the fire sprinkler system extinguished the flames.”

Officials said there were three people who were displaced because of water damage and other damage caused by the fire.

PF&R is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A scooter caused an early morning fire in an apartment complex in Northwest Portland on Monday.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene around 8:00 a.m. on the report of an explosion and an internal fire protection sprinkler was activated.

When Portland Fire and Rescue arrived, they said light smoke was coming from a window on the backside of the structure. After crews surveyed this inside of the complex, they discovered an electric scooter stored in a primary egress route that had caught fire.

Crews quickly put out the fire with a handheld water extinguisher. Officials say there were no injuries reported and no one was displaced.

The scooter used a lithium-ion battery that entered a state fire official label as a “Thermal Runaway.”

A thermal runaway is a phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Fire officials say it can result in extremely high temperatures, violent cell venting, smoke, and fire.

PF&R says a similar fire incident happened about three and a half months ago, and it can be prevented. Portland Fire & Rescue officials remind people that lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly.

These batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones, and common household devices. According to officials, some of these batteries can be defective and can overheat, catch fire, or explode.

If using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:

  • Be sure any equipment has the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) mark.
  • Follow manufacturers’ instructions for charging and storage.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
  • Keep batteries/devices stored at room temperature. Do not place it in direct sunlight.
  • Store batteries away from anything flammable.
  • Do not charge or store battery-operated devices or scooters in stairways/stairwells, exit pathways, or in front of exit doors. We recommend actively charging this equipment only while you are home.
  • If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, cracks, leaking, or odd noises coming from a device, discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
  • Inspect all lithium-ion battery-powered equipment and chargers for frayed or cracked cords and replace if necessary.
Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Redmond, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at business; No injuries reported

Redmond Fire & Rescue respond to a fire at an animal bedding business Saturday night.

Around 10:30p.m. fire crews arrived at JTS Animal Bedding on 1st Street in southeast Redmond to smoke coming from a building located at the backside of the property.

Fire crews discovered fire burning within an enclosed conveyor belt area and baghouse. The buildings fire sprinkler system had activated and was keeping the fire in check.

Crews worked to contain the fire to the one building and prevented it from spreading to the main warehouse.

There were no reported injuries.

The cause of the fire was due to an overheated bearing on a roller within the conveyor belt area. The overheated bearing caused the wood dust to smolder then ignite and spread fire through the conveyor belt area and baghouse.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Medford, OR – Sprinkler system contains fire in office space at commercial building; No injuries reported

Firefighters with the Medford Fire Department put out a small fire that sparked at Roseburg Forest Products Tuesday evening.

According to MFD, the fire, which was burning above a small office space, was largely contained by the sprinkler system inside the building.

In a Facebook post, the department said, “had the sprinkler system not been in place, the fire would have been much larger by the time crews arrived on scene. We want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining fire protection systems in buildings.”

No one was injured and the cause is being investigated.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

One person was displaced due to a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex in downtown Portland Monday night.

At about 8 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue were called out to a fire near the intersection of Southwest 10th and Southwest Salmon. First crews on scene saw fire showing from a third story window and a second alarm was called to bring in additional resources.

While evacuating residents, a firefighter came upon a person struggling to breathe in a stairwell. PF&R says the firefighter gave their mask to the struggling resident and helped them outside. The resident was evaluated for possible smoke inhalation but denied medical need in the end.

PF&R says the apartment complex’s fire sprinkler system helped keep the fire from spreading to other units in the building. The fire was extinguished about 20 minutes after the 911 call was made.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Eugene, OR – Sprinkler system activated for pallet fire at business; No injuries reported

Fire crews responded to an early-morning blaze outside a west Eugene business early on Wednesday morning, according to Eugene Springfield Fire officials.

ESF officials said that firefighters responded to a reported trash fire at about 2 a.m. on June 5 at ABC Roofing on West 6th Avenue. Responding fire crews arrived to find a stack of wooden pallets on fire outside of the building and eight units were called to the scene, authorities said. Fire officials said that the heat from the blaze activated the sprinkler system inside and saved the building with damage limited to a small amount of fire damage and the rest related to smoke and water.

No injuries were reported in the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation, fire officials said.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Springfield, OR – Sprinkler system activated for commercial structure fire; No injuries reported

Eugene Springfield Fire crews are on scene of a commercial structure fire at 4660 Main Street in east Springfield, the fire department reported Thursday around 8:40 p.m.

A crew was notified of a fire alarm at 7:47 p.m. and arrived under 4 minutes, the department said.

“Engine 14 found an alarm sounding with smoke from a roll up door,” EDF stated. “The crew called for a full commercial alarm assignment bringing 3 additional engines, 2 trucks, 2 BCs and an ambulance.”

Crews made entry in to the building and were confronted by heavy smoke from a fire within a machine shop.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire which was held in check by the sprinkler system.

Crews are working to clear smoke and overhaul the fire.

There were no injuries and the fire is under investigation.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Springfield, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at restaurant

Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a fire at the Public House in downtown Springfield, early on Tuesday morning.

A single engine was dispatched by ESF at approximately 3:40 a.m. and upon arrival crews worked to survey the building for access and signs of fire.

Fire crews entered the building, and after encountering smoke, a full fire response was requested.

ESF located a fire in the kitchen area that was slowed by an activated fire sprinkler.

Eugene Springfield Fire tells us that there was no significant damage to the structure, and crews worked to clear smoke and water while the Fire Marshal’s began their investigation.

Simple Share Buttons