Fatal House Fire In SE Portland Monday Night

PORTLAND, OR — Despite the heroic actions of neighbors and Portland firefighters, a residential fire in southeast Portland Monday night claimed one victim.

Portland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched just before 9 p.m. April 23 to a duplex fire on Southeast Bush Street, just to the east of Southeast 122nd Avenue in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

Neighbors were attempting to battle the blaze themselves when firefighters arrived, authorities said, noting one neighbor was seen using a garden hose in an effort to extinguish the fire while another neighbor was trying to rescue the resident still inside the burning apartment.

Quickly taking command, Portland Fire & Rescue personnel ran into the burning residence and recovered the sole occupant of the home. At the same time, firefighters outside fought off the blaze and got it under control within 10 minutes, authorities said.

The rescued resident was taken to hospital but did not survive.

From Portland Fire & Rescue:

"While the neighbors who tried to help were truly valiant and should be commended for their efforts, PF&R asks that the public not enter structures that are burning. The smoke produced in a building fire is disorienting, debilitating and can be deadly.
"When you add in the danger of becoming burned, trapped or having the structure collapse on top of you, the risk is just too high.
"Please wait for fire crews to arrive with the proper training and equipment. Help us to help you, if a structure is on fire get out, stay out and call 911, don't become another victim."

Portland fire investigators are still figuring out what caused the fatal fire.

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