Thanksgiving Safety Tips

We are a week away from one of the most traditional cooking days seen throughout the year and PF&R would like to share some safety tips and best practices so you can enjoy your holiday and avoid a need for our services on Thanksgiving. When spending time in the kitchen preparing food along with hosting family and guests, be sure to employ best practices to avoid a need for emergency response. 

• Never leave a pot unattended on the stove-stay in the kitchen-turn off the burners if you need to leave the kitchen.
• Have a 3’ “clear area” to keep children away from a hot cooktop – keep children away from the stove.
• Avoid wearing “flowing style clothing” that could catch on the handle of a pan or ignite if draped near a hot surface.
• Avoid trip hazards on the kitchen floor.
• Don’t have children operate lighters or matches without adult supervision.
• Open the flue on your chimney if you are having a fire in the fireplace for the first time this fall-winter season. 
• If you are planning on frying a turkey, make sure the bird is completely thawed, and your frying device is outside and away from any overhead cover. (Watch the attached video for more turkey frying tips - How to Safely Deep Fry a Turkey on Vimeo - feel free to share this video and link as you choose).

Portland Fire & Rescue would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

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Portland Fire Firehouse Break In

Portland Fire & Rescue Station 26 located at located at 5247 N. Lombard was broken into earlier today. There was a subject witnessed banging an object against the windows on the front of the fire station while the on-duty crew was out of the station performing their duties. The individual was able to make entry through a window and explore the station. 

Evidence of locations visited were evident with an open injury dropping blood throughout the station. The crew will be responding as normal while the station is sanitized by a professional biohazard mitigation company.

This incident is currently under investigation with the PF&R-PPB staffed Fire Investigations Unit combining efforts with PPB. The suspect was taken into custody by Portland Police.

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On November 7^th, 2024 at 0006 hours, PF&R responded to the report of a residential fire in the 2200 block of SE Salmon Street.  Firefighters responded and arrived to find a small fire on the front porch of the occupied home.  It was learned that several occupants were asleep in the home at the time of the fire.  One homeowner had awoken to discover the large fire on the porch and while another occupant was calling 911, he used a portable fire extinguisher to suppress the flames momentarily until the fire department arrived minutes later.  PF&R Arson Investigators were called to scene to conduct an investigation in the cause of the fire.  While investigators were examining the scene, they requested the additional help PF&R’s Accelerant Detection Canine Kiki.  Arson Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set using an incendiary device containing an accelerant.  Arson Investigators partnered up with officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Victim’s Unit, to continue their investigation throughout yesterday and into this afternoon/evening.  Once enough evidence was obtained, PF&R Arson Investigators partnered collaboratively with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, to secure and serve an arrest warrant for the suspect.  This evening at around 8:00p.m., Arson Investigators arrested 42 year old Eric D. Alexander on the outstanding arrest warrant for the following charges: 5 counts of Attempted Murder in Second Degree, 4 counts of Arson in the First Degree, 2 counts of Stalking, 2 counts of Telephonic Harassment, 2 counts of Menacing, and 1 count of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.

Shortly after the arrest of Eric Johnson occurred, on-duty PF&R Arson Investigators were notified of a 3 fire serial arson spree in the Hazelwood/Mill Park neighborhoods of NE Portland.  Arson Investigators quickly obtained surveillance of a possible suspect and coordinated with Portland Police East Precinct officers to conduct an area canvass for the suspect.  Within minutes, patrol officers located the suspect blocks from one of the fires.  After detaining the suspect, the patrol officers recognized the suspect as being wanted in connection with a serial arson spree that occurred on October 14^th, 2024 along NE and SE 122^nd Avenue.  Arson Investigators were able to conduct additional follow up this evening which resulted in the arrest of 37 year old Crystle Knoke.  Knoke was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and also charged with 3 counts of Arson in the First Degree, 1 count of Arson in the Second Degree, and 2 counts of Criminal Mischief I in connection with the recent serial arson sprees.

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit comprises fire investigators with Portland Fire & Rescue, who are sworn law enforcement officers, and a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. The collaboration leverages the specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analysis equipment and accelerant detecting dogs. PF&R and PPB remain committed to working together in order to ensure community safety.