SE Portland Four-Alarm Fire Collapses Building, Snarls Traffic

PORTLAND, OR – An abandoned warehouse was left in a heap of rubble early Friday morning after a fire tore through the building. It happened around midnight at SE Alder and 9th Avenue.

The warehouse has been abandoned for a long time and is well-known to officials as units have responded there several times in recent years.

Firefighters called for back up as soon as they got there and the fire was quickly designated a fourth alarm. Deciding it was unlikely they'd be able to save the warehouse, they focused their efforts on saving the two buildings on either side.

Those efforts were successful.

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“This is one of the most hazardous buildings firefighters can face," Portland Fire Chief Sara Boone said. "It is so perilous that we indicate these buildings with a U marker indicating that it is an unsafe building.

"Hazards that fire fighters faced were building collapses, the sidewalk collapsing over the basement, as well and energized power lines coming down. Every person on scene did incredible job and I am so grateful that no one was hurt and thankful for the effort everyone displayed on this scene.”

No injuries were reported.

Officials say that crews will be on scene most of Friday clearing rubble.

Investigators will also be on scene trying to determine the cause of the fire.