Two Alarm Fire at Big Eddy Marina Destroys Three Homes‏

The fire presented some very difficult challenges early in the incident when a standpipe system installed on the floating docks ruptured and failed.

Big Eddy Marine fire Photos courtesy: Mark Maunder/Gresham Fire

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Three homes at Big Eddy Marina were totally destroyed by a 2-alarm fire early Saturday morning. Big Eddy Marina located at 19609 NE Marine Drive, contains approximately 66 homes.

Lt Doug Jones with Portland Fire & Rescue says a passerby on Marine Drive reported the fire at about 5:28 AM. This marina is located in the City of Gresham Fire District.

"When Gresham firefighters arrived at 5:36 AM, they reported at least one fully involved houseboat fire. A second alarm was called for at 5:44 AM."

Jones says it soon became apparent that three floating homes were involved.

"These three homes, located right next to each other were eventually completely consumed by the fire and two more homes on either side of these three were damaged."

Multiple agencies were involved in fighting this fire including Gresham Fire, Portland Fire & Rescue, Port of Portland and the US Coast Guard.

Portland Fire sent several fire engines, trucks and a fire boat. The Port of Portland sent Rescue Boat 860 to assist with fire fighting efforts.

The US Coast Guard shut down the South channel on the Columbia River South of Government Island to all boat traffic during the fire. The fire was recalled at 8:20 AM, Jones added.

"An occupant of one of the destroyed homes was evaluated on scene by paramedics for a burned foot. He was taken to an area hospital by private vehicle for treatment. No other injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported." He says this fire presented some very difficult challenges early in the incident for firefighters.

"Establishing a water supply for fighting the fire was a huge challenge. Early in the fire a standpipe system installed on the floating docks ruptured and failed. Firefighters hook hose lines to this piping system and pump water into it. They then connect fire attack hose lines to the other end of the system down on the dock to extinguish the fire."

Jones says that when this standpipe system failed there was not yet a fire boat on scene. Floating pumps that can supply only one firefighting hose line were used for a period of time to slow the progress of the fire. He says 4000 feet of 5 inch diameter hose was stretched down Marine Drive to hook onto a fire hydrant.

All firefighters operating on the floating docks are required to wear personal flotation devices in case they fall into the water.

The cause of this fire has not yet been determined and is being investigated by Gresham Fire Investigators.