Crews Battle Four More House Fires in Portland

Includes safety tips to keep you and your family alive this winter.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland Fire and Rescue has responded to 4 other house fires since the early morning fire at SE 81st and Taylor. 3 of the 4 fires are related to the cold weather, according to the agency's spokesman, Lt. Dave Centers.

"All fires were a single alarm which brings 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Rescue, 2 Chiefs, and 2 Investigators. Due to the extreme weather a Rehab Unit was called for on each fire. 27 to 30 Firefighters responded on each the 4 fires. At this time no injuries were reported at any of the fires." At 8:08 a.m. crews responded to 11900 block of NE Morris on a garage fire. First arriving crews found an attached garage involved in heavy fire which was extending to the attic of the house. Total Value: $205,000 with a loss of $100,000. Cause: Overloaded electrical wiring which attached to a heat lamp in a chicken coop by the garage. At 11:52 a.m. crews responded to 5200 block of NE 43rd on a residential fire. Crews quickly knocked down an exterior fire. Value/Loss undetermined at this time. Cause: Propane Heater too close to siding of house. The heater was being used to keep pipes from freezing. At 1:44 p.m. crews responded to 600 block of NE Church on a residential fire. Crews found a 1 1/2 story residence with a large volume of fire showing. The fire did heavy damage to the house. Value/Loss undetermined at this time. Cause: Combustible materials too close a portable heater. At 4:47 p.m. crews responded to 700 block of NE 107th Pl. Crews found a 1 story residence with dark gray smoke coming from the eaves and roof vents. They found a kitchen fire which extended up the stove vent and into the attic area. Value: $275,000 with a loss of $25,000. Cause: overheated cooking oil which ignited.

Safety Tips:

Keep combustible materials away from any Heating devices: fireplace, wood stove, portable heater, furnace, or electric wall/baseboard heat units.

Portable heaters need plenty of space and make sure they have an automatic shut off if tipped over.

Electric portable heaters should only be plugged into a wall outlet. DO NOT use extension cords, especially one which is smaller than the cord on the heater itself.

Do not use propane or liquid fueled heaters indoors and never leave them running if you are not home.

Use a hair dryer to thaw frozen pipes. Do not use torches or open flame devices to heat the pipes.

Never use charcoal fueled devices to heat your house. This is an extreme fire danger and gives off Carbon Monoxide, which is an odorless/tasteless and invisible killer.

Never burn plastics or garbage in your fireplace or wood stove. These materials tend to burn quickly and can accelerate the intensity of a fire.

Clean you chimney once a year or sooner if needed and only burn seasoned fire wood.