Tag Archives: Oregon

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.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at business

An overnight fire in a Portland business was within by a bundle of towels and rags, Portland Fire & Rescue said.

Overnight, PF&R was called to a commercial fire at 5525 Southeast 26th Avenue. The original call was for a fire alarm with four firefighters responding.

After confirming water was flowing in the sprinklers and smoke was showing, the call was increased to a single alarm response. A total of 26 firefighters responded.

According to PF&R, the sprinkler system doused most of the fire and firefighters were able to extinguish the remaining flames.

The fire was within a bundle of towels and rags that officials were able to safely remove from the building.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Bend, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at clubhouse; No injuries reported

Firefighters battle a fire at Juniper Preserve Friday evening.

Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire around 5:30 p.m.

Juniper Preserve staff quickly evacuated the building of guests.

As fire crews arrived there was visible smoke coming from the roof of the building and made a quick attack on the fire, but had to quickly evacuate the building due to the collapse of a chimney onto the roof.

The buildings fire sprinkler system was able to help keep the fire in check and crews were able to access the void areas in the roof.

We learned no one was hurt during the fire.

Officials think it possibly started when fireplace fire burned into the walls and then up into the roof.

Redmond Fire says the vaulted ceilings made it more challenging to figure out exactly the best attack.

Redmond Fire & Rescue was assisted by Bend Fire & Rescue, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Sunriver Fire & Rescue.

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