Just after 4am this morning (12/1/19) a fire broke out in a duplex at SE 136th Ave and Powell Blvd.  The first arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke from a duplex unit with fire threatening several other residences in close proximity.  Incident commanders called for a second alam assignment (this doubles the amount of firefighters, engines and trucks to the scene) due to the concern of fire spread to homes in close proximity.  The adult couple and their adult son were inside when the fire started but made it out and were in a neighbors home by the time fire crews arrived.  The adult couple were both experiencing minor smoke inhalation injuries and their adult son had significant burns on his body but all refused to be transported to the hospital. Fire investigators were sent to the scene and said that smoke alarms were a factor in the injuries but did not specify as to whether they were working or not.  They say the affected unit was a total loss and minor damage to the adjoining duplex unit and two homes in close proximity was approximatley a loss of $250,000.

The fire was under control within an hour but crews remained on scene for several hours perfoming clean up and salvage work to the affected homes.  No other injuries were reported.  Portland Fire & Rescue investigators have not deternined a direct cause at this time but are continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses at the scene.

*** Safety Message***

PF&R would like to remind residents that working smoke alarms save lives.  Approximatley 60% of home fire fatalities didn't have a smoke alarm, or it was non functioning (Year:2012-2016, Source: NFPA).  Please be diligent about chekcing to make sure yours are working properly.