Portland Sub-Freezing Weather Leads To 4 Warming-Fire Injuries

PORTLAND, OR — The temperature plunged below freezing, and four of the hundreds of people who call the streets of Portland home were injured in fires that they'd hoped would keep them warm. Portland Fire says all incidents happened on New Year's Day.

The first incident was discovered around 9 a.m. when firefighters were called to the corner of 6th and Woodward. Someone had called 911 to report a man with burned hands.

On scene, they found the man – described as being in his 40s. He had injured himself while using an accelerant. He refused medical attention.

Thirty minutes later, a different emergency crew arrived at Northeast Grand and Everett. A tent fire injured a man and woman – both in their 40s – who had severe burns to their legs.

After they were rushed to the burn center at Emanuel Hospital, investigators determined that a hose attached to a propane heater had been loose and leaked, causing an explosion.

The fourth incident happened around 3:20 in the afternoon.

People passing by the intersection of Southwest Oak and Fourth Avenue saw a tent on fire. They called 911 and got a man out of the tent. Emergency crews determined that the man, who had second-degree burns over his arms and legs, had been using a candle to stay warm when his sleeping bag caught fire.

He too was rushed to the burn center at Emanuel.

Officials say if you see someone in distress or you are someone with nowhere to stay, call 2-1- and ask about shelter locations. TriMet offers free rides to shelters.