Early Morning Double House Fire in N Portland's Humboldt Neighborhood

July 27, 2024 12:00

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At 4:41am today, Engine 24 (located on N Maryland and Going) was dispatched to a report of a BBQ on fire in the back yard of a nearby home in the Humboldt neighborhood. The Calltaker at the BOEC 911 dispatch center remained on the line with the caller, who then stated that the flames were spreading to the house. With this information, the dispatcher "upgraded" the call response to a full structure fire box assignment of four engines, two trucks and two Battalion Chiefs. While responding, another caller reported to dispatchers that the fire appeared to be spreading to a neighboring home as well.

Engine 24 could see the fire's glow from down the block, and arrived to find heavy fire toward the rear of the house, clearly getting into the home next door. The four personnel on the engine split up to accomplish many critical tasks in short order. The driver of the engine positioned in front of the house and worked with the station Captain to attach hoses to a fire hydrant down the block. The two firefighters that make us the engine's "B Team" took two separate hoses, with one firefighter aggressively attacking the exterior fire from in between the two homes, and the other preparing the line for the interior of the primary home. This is a departure from our normal mode of operation, as the B Team usually stays together to focus on the first hose that will enter the home. But with the situation they faced, these highly trained firefighters adapted and greatly limited the fire spread to the second home.

While this was happening, C2 (the Battalion Chief also housed at Station 24) arrived and took the position of Incident Commander. With two houses involved and the heavy volume of exterior fire, the Chief soon called a "second alarm". This summons more fire engines, another ladder truck, a third BC, a "rehab unit" and a Public Information Officer.

Truck 8 was next to arrive on scene, and immediately entered the first home to search for victims. We never operate alone inside a structure fire, so the second "B Team" firefighter from Engine 24 was able to stick with the Truck 8 crew to attack the fire while they performed the search. The quick thinking and adaptability of these first two crews facilitated a rapid search and containment of this fire. All residents were soon accounted for, and two pets were located, though they had sadly already died of apparent smoke inhalation.

Meanwhile, the BC in command assigned crews to set up for fire attack on the second home. Fire had spread up the exterior and into the attic of this home, so engine companies brought hoses interior while truck companies went to the roof to cut ventilation holes to expose the fire and remove smoke. When two homes are simultaneously burning, we must accomplish search, fire attack and ventilation functions on both as efficiently as possible. We even attach to a second fire hydrant to ensure plenty of water for two working fires. The second alarm response facilitates this, as we can bring enough crews to the scene to fill these assignments early and prevent further damage and injury.

By 5:09, crews were reporting good control of the fires in both houses. At 5:24, the fire was officially "recalled", meaning command was confident that the fire was well under control and no further resources would be needed. Soon after, the process of releasing crews began so they would be back in service in their home districts.

A total of 52 firefighters responded to this double house fire. The Red Cross responded to assist with immediate housing needs. A Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) volunteer was requested to assist residents as they processed the damage to their homes and the loss of their pets. The fire was determined to be accidental by our Fire Investigator, with the specific cause still under investigation.

Photos will be uploaded when we receive them.

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