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News Release

PF&R Responds To Floating Homes Fire On The Columbia (Photo) - 05/29/26

PF&R Responds to floating homes fire on the Columbia

 

At 3:50 AM PF&R was dispatched to the 1500 Block of N. Marine Drive with reports of a floating home on fire in the Pier West Floating Home Community located on the Columbia River south of Hayden Island at the base of the I5 Bridge from heading into Oregon. Responding crews could see the glow of the fire and see a heavy presence of smoke floating along the river to know there was a working fire upon their arrival as they approached. With 2 floating homes showing heavy fire and the flames impinging upon the surrounding homes located a few feet apart, quick actions needed to be taken immediately.

 

Truck 8 arrived to see residents of the homes dipping buckets into the river and tossing onto flames in an attempt at extinguishing the fire. The crew located the gangplank access of the docks and immediately moved into addressing life safety concerns by directing the members of the "community bucket brigade" to get onto land away from the fire while starting to make any available rescue. One home was already completely consumed by fire and not survivable, so the crew made entry into the other home showing heavy fire to be turned back by the flames and heat on the interior. They moved to the next home, made entry, roused the occupants from their sleep and escorted them to safety uninjured. All other residents were aware of the significant fire located at the end of the dock and were either safe on land or sheltering in place in their homes a distance away from the main body of fire. (It was discovered after the flames were extinguished that all occupants in the two fire affected homes were safe and uninjured.)

 

The next arriving crews were focused on water supply and fire suppression. The Fire Department Connection (FDC) that supplies the standpipes that run the length of the dock was located and pumped into by Engine 26 with Engine 14 and Engine 24 involved with carrying hose lines on their shoulders and connecting to the standpipe connections at the dock to use in applying water onto the homes that were burning. Engine 22 joined in the suppression actions along with acting as the land side focused rescue team if needed.

 

A second alarm assignment was requested with a possible need for a longer lay in connection to a different fire hydrant that would have required multiple engines to successfully complete. Additionally, with multiple homes already being consumed with fire and 2 others being impinged upon by the body of fire, the command officer was quickly going through all the responders assigned on the first alarm response. Not many of the second alarm companies were assigned to perform much work as the first alarm assignment was able to work through the challenges of the scene and reduce the flames quickly without the need for replacement. Truck 13 of the second alarm was directed to provide mcuh needed lighting as best possible as the available lights on the dock itself were quite minimal.

 

Fire Boat 80 from PDX Airport Fire responded alongside PF&R Fire Boat 17 stationed on Hayden Island who were addressing the incident from the water with FB 17 focused as the water side rescue team if any firefighter fell into the river, the fire boat would be assigned rescue, FB 80 was assigned to pump water from the river and apply water on the most damaged home using their deck gun/turret.

The significant body of fire from the 2 homes had so much heat radiating off that a home under construction 50’ away was charred on the face closest to the fire. A fire crew was assigned to this home to ensure the fire did not extend any further and cause more damage.

 

All fire threat was eliminated in the initial 20 minutes of the incident with the long mop up process continuing through the rest of the day. The PF&R-PPB Fire Investigations Unit is on scene interviewing residents and performing a physical forensic evaluation to determine cause. There were 2 floating homes completely lost in this fire, 1 under construction that received a bit of charring, and a fourth that had a screen door pulled away making entry for rescue. All other homes were unaffected. There were no injuries reported.

 

Addressing a fire on a floating home presents many different challenges to responding firefighters. Portland Fire & Rescue has a rule that when firefighters are working on or around water, they are required to always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device. This is best placed under the turnout coat but may be placed on the top of the coat and under the air pack but in either location the added bulk makes firefighting tasks a bit more challenging. The water supply can be difficult with few hydrants and locating the FDC in the dark may slow down the process of getting water to the nozzle. The numerous tripping hazards present along the walkway increase the danger and chances a firefighter may trip and end up in the river with all of their gear and perhaps a tool. Lastly, the homes are simply lashed to a cleat on the dock that can be burned through and find the home ablaze floating freely in the river.

 

Portland Fire would like to thank PDX Airport Fire and their assistance from their fireboat. Additionally, PF&R appreciates the response across the river from 3 Vancouver Fire Engines that responded on the second alarm request. Lastly, we would like to thank PGE and their response to address the concerns of the electrical system supporting all the floating homes in the community. 

 

Something to take note of this incident is the very last few hours of the on-duty deputy chief’s career with Chief Aimee Rooney officially retiring at 8 AM, the time of PF&R Shift Change. Chief Rooney responded to the incident, coordinated base to liaise between the command officer to assign and direct the second responders. Chief Rooney also focused her efforts on those affected by the fire and liased on their behalf with the Red Cross to ensure everyone was safely taken care of. This incident was her last moment of impact in a 30 year career of huge impacts to PF&R including being honored as the PF&R Firefighter of the Year over a decade ago. 

  • First Alarm Assignment:
    • Engine 14 - Vernon Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 22 - St. John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 24 - Overlook Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 26 - University Park Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Truck 8  - Arbor Lodge Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Truck 22 - St John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Fireboat 17 - Hayden Island - 4 Members
    • Fireboat 80 - PDS Airport - Staffed by their appropriate number of crew members to operate.
    • C2 - Command Officer of the incident - Single Battalion Chief
    • C1 - Safety Chief - Single Battalion Chief
    • C103 - On Duty Deputy Chief - Coordinated with residents
  • Second Alarm Assignment Assigned work:
    • Engine 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
    • Truck 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
    • Rehab 5 - Hillsdale Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • C4 - Coordinated Base - Single Battalion Chief
    • PIO 350 - Coordinated with Media on scene - Single PF&R Firefighter 
  • Total on scene - just short of 50 firefighters working this incident with 16 that responded and not assigned any work.

###

Attached Media Files: Fire boat and crews addressing floating home fire in the dark., Fire boat and crews addressing floating home fire in the dark., Life jacket under turnout coat visible in this image., Narrow stairs and gangplank access to the dock., FDC Connection with firefighters and hose. This is located hundreds of feet away from the dock., Uncapped garden hose connection showing water pressure and flow in the standpipe system fed by the E26 and the FDC system., Standpipe connection on the dock., Floating homes destroyed by fire., Floating homes destroyed by fire., Floating home under construction damaged by radiant heat of body of fire across waterway., One of the many tripping hazards on the dock., Responding firefighters collecting up after the incident to learn and improve on our next similar response., Chief Rooney working her last incident before retirement.,

PF&R Responds To Floating Homes Fire On The Columbia (Photo) - 05/29/26

PF&R Responds to floating homes fire on the Columbia

 

At 3:50 AM PF&R was dispatched to the 1500 Block of N. Marine Drive with reports of a floating home on fire in the Pier West Floating Home Community located on the Columbia River south of Hayden Island at the base of the I5 Bridge from heading into Oregon. Responding crews could see the glow of the fire and see a heavy presence of smoke floating along the river to know there was a working fire upon their arrival as they approached. With 2 floating homes showing heavy fire and the flames impinging upon the surrounding homes located a few feet apart, quick actions needed to be taken immediately.

 

Truck 8 arrived to see residents of the homes dipping buckets into the river and tossing onto flames in an attempt at extinguishing the fire. The crew located the gangplank access of the docks and immediately moved into addressing life safety concerns by directing the members of the "community bucket brigade" to get onto land away from the fire while starting to make any available rescue. One home was already completely consumed by fire and not survivable, so the crew made entry into the other home showing heavy fire to be turned back by the flames and heat on the interior. They moved to the next home, made entry, roused the occupants from their sleep and escorted them to safety uninjured. All other residents were aware of the significant fire located at the end of the dock and were either safe on land or sheltering in place in their homes a distance away from the main body of fire. (It was discovered after the flames were extinguished that all occupants in the two fire affected homes were safe and uninjured.)

 

The next arriving crews were focused on water supply and fire suppression. The Fire Department Connection (FDC) that supplies the standpipes that run the length of the dock was located and pumped into by Engine 26 with Engine 14 and Engine 24 involved with carrying hose lines on their shoulders and connecting to the standpipe connections at the dock to use in applying water onto the homes that were burning. Engine 22 joined in the suppression actions along with acting as the land side focused rescue team if needed.

 

A second alarm assignment was requested with a possible need for a longer lay in connection to a different fire hydrant that would have required multiple engines to successfully complete. Additionally, with multiple homes already being consumed with fire and 2 others being impinged upon by the body of fire, the command officer was quickly going through all the responders assigned on the first alarm response. Not many of the second alarm companies were assigned to perform much work as the first alarm assignment was able to work through the challenges of the scene and reduce the flames quickly without the need for replacement. Truck 13 of the second alarm was directed to provide mcuh needed lighting as best possible as the available lights on the dock itself were quite minimal.

 

Fire Boat 80 from PDX Airport Fire responded alongside PF&R Fire Boat 17 stationed on Hayden Island who were addressing the incident from the water with FB 17 focused as the water side rescue team if any firefighter fell into the river, the fire boat would be assigned rescue, FB 80 was assigned to pump water from the river and apply water on the most damaged home using their deck gun/turret.

The significant body of fire from the 2 homes had so much heat radiating off that a home under construction 50’ away was charred on the face closest to the fire. A fire crew was assigned to this home to ensure the fire did not extend any further and cause more damage.

 

All fire threat was eliminated in the initial 20 minutes of the incident with the long mop up process continuing through the rest of the day. The PF&R-PPB Fire Investigations Unit is on scene interviewing residents and performing a physical forensic evaluation to determine cause. There were 2 floating homes completely lost in this fire, 1 under construction that received a bit of charring, and a fourth that had a screen door pulled away making entry for rescue. All other homes were unaffected. There were no injuries reported.

 

Addressing a fire on a floating home presents many different challenges to responding firefighters. Portland Fire & Rescue has a rule that when firefighters are working on or around water, they are required to always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device. This is best placed under the turnout coat but may be placed on the top of the coat and under the air pack but in either location the added bulk makes firefighting tasks a bit more challenging. The water supply can be difficult with few hydrants and locating the FDC in the dark may slow down the process of getting water to the nozzle. The numerous tripping hazards present along the walkway increase the danger and chances a firefighter may trip and end up in the river with all of their gear and perhaps a tool. Lastly, the homes are simply lashed to a cleat on the dock that can be burned through and find the home ablaze floating freely in the river.

 

Portland Fire would like to thank PDX Airport Fire and their assistance from their fireboat. Additionally, PF&R appreciates the response across the river from 3 Vancouver Fire Engines that responded on the second alarm request. Lastly, we would like to thank PGE and their response to address the concerns of the electrical system supporting all the floating homes in the community. 

 

Something to take note of this incident is the very last few hours of the on-duty deputy chief’s career with Chief Aimee Rooney officially retiring at 8 AM, the time of PF&R Shift Change. Chief Rooney responded to the incident, coordinated base to liaise between the command officer to assign and direct the second responders. Chief Rooney also focused her efforts on those affected by the fire and liased on their behalf with the Red Cross to ensure everyone was safely taken care of. This incident was her last moment of impact in a 30 year career of huge impacts to PF&R including being honored as the PF&R Firefighter of the Year over a decade ago. 

  • First Alarm Assignment:
    • Engine 14 - Vernon Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 22 - St. John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 24 - Overlook Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Engine 26 - University Park Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Truck 8  - Arbor Lodge Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Truck 22 - St John's Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • Fireboat 17 - Hayden Island - 4 Members
    • Fireboat 80 - PDS Airport - Staffed by their appropriate number of crew members to operate.
    • C2 - Command Officer of the incident - Single Battalion Chief
    • C1 - Safety Chief - Single Battalion Chief
    • C103 - On Duty Deputy Chief - Coordinated with residents
  • Second Alarm Assignment Assigned work:
    • Engine 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
    • Truck 13 - Lloyd District - 4 Members
    • Rehab 5 - Hillsdale Neighborhood - 4 Members
    • C4 - Coordinated Base - Single Battalion Chief
    • PIO 350 - Coordinated with Media on scene - Single PF&R Firefighter 
  • Total on scene - just short of 50 firefighters working this incident with 16 that responded and not assigned any work.

###

Attached Media Files: Fire boat and crews addressing floating home fire in the dark., Fire boat and crews addressing floating home fire in the dark., Life jacket under turnout coat visible in this image., Narrow stairs and gangplank access to the dock., FDC Connection with firefighters and hose. This is located hundreds of feet away from the dock., Uncapped garden hose connection showing water pressure and flow in the standpipe system fed by the E26 and the FDC system., Standpipe connection on the dock., Floating homes destroyed by fire., Floating homes destroyed by fire., Floating home under construction damaged by radiant heat of body of fire across waterway., One of the many tripping hazards on the dock., Responding firefighters collecting up after the incident to learn and improve on our next similar response., Chief Rooney working her last incident before retirement.,