Portland Fire & Rescue
Emergency Messages as of 2:25 am, Thu. Mar. 28
No information currently posted.
Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Portland Fire & Rescue.
Primary email address for a new account:

  
And/or follow our FlashAlerts via Twitter

About FlashAlert on Twitter:

FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Portland Fire & Rescue by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.

Click here to add Portland Fire & Rescue to your Twitter account or create one.

@pdxfire

Hide this Message


Manage my existing Subscription

News Release
NE_160th3.jpg
NE_160th3.jpg
Three Escape, One Elderly Female Dies In Early Morning Apartment Fire (Photo) - 01/09/19

At 3:30am this morning a fire broke out in an apartment at NE160th and Everett Ct. PF&R crews arrived to find heavy fire and smoke from a single story unit of a four-plex apartment building. Three family members, two adults and one child (8yrs) had escaped but first arriving crews were concerned that an elderly female (78yrs) was still inside. Firefighters from Engine 31 and Truck 7 entered the apartment to search for and rescue any residents inside but, sadly, found the 78yr old female deceased along with several pets (7). The three residents that escaped were all evaluated and transported for smoke inhalation. Three pets were believed to have escaped and no other injuries were reported.

Fire Investigators have been at the scene most of the day sifting through evidence and compiling witness testimony to determine a cause. They believe the fire was caused by a faulty electrical cord but are unclear as to why the cord failed. Investigators also noted that while there was a smoke alarm in the apartment the battery had been removed. 

"We are very saddened by today's news. Our 'Fire Death Task Force' will be looking closely at this tragedy to see how our public education and prevention efforts can be better focused." said PF&R Fire Marshal Nate Takara. On the issue of smoke alarms, Fire Marshal Takara stressed the following "we know smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. When you go home today, please check those alarms to ensure they are properly placed and working. It could be the difference of life or death."

*The PF&R Fire Death Task Force is a committee of fire professionals and data analysts whose objective is to understand details of fire fatalities and/or injuries in order to better focus prevention, response and public education. 

 

Attached Media Files: NE_160th3.jpg , NE_160th2.jpg , NE_160th1.jpg
View more news releases from Portland Fire & Rescue.