PORTLAND, Ore. — Emergency crews are battling a massive, multi-alarm fire at a three-story structure in the heart of the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood late Thursday night. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) officials have confirmed that the building, which was previously marked as an “unsafe structure,” is currently engulfed in flames, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky over Southeast Portland.
The incident was first reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. as witnesses began flooding emergency lines with reports of fire visible from the upper stories of the older building. Upon arrival, responding crews found the structure fully involved, with flames breaching the roof and threatening adjacent properties. Due to the compromised structural integrity of the building—which had been officially boarded up and deemed unsafe for occupancy prior to the incident—incident commanders have ordered a defensive strategy, keeping all personnel outside the perimeter to prevent potential collapse injuries.
“Our primary objective right now is containment,” said a spokesperson for Portland Fire & Rescue during a brief press briefing at the scene. “The building’s prior classification as an unsafe structure means that internal operations are far too hazardous for our crews. We are focused on preventing the fire from jumping to neighboring homes and businesses in this high-density corridor.”
The fire has drawn a significant response, with at least six engine companies and several ladder trucks deployed to the scene. Firefighters are utilizing aerial master streams to douse the structure from above, creating a spectacle of bright orange light against the dark neighborhood skyline.
Authorities have established a wide safety perimeter around the block, and the Portland Police Bureau has closed several adjacent streets, including portions of SE 13th Avenue, to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Residents in the immediate vicinity have been told to keep their windows closed due to the high volume of smoke, though no formal evacuations have been ordered for the surrounding homes as of 10:00 p.m.
There have been no reports of injuries among firefighters or civilians, and the building is believed to have been vacant at the time the blaze ignited. However, the presence of an “unsafe” building fire has raised immediate questions regarding how the structure was secured and whether unauthorized access may have played a role in the disaster.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Once the blaze is fully extinguished and the site is deemed stable enough for closer inspection, fire investigators will begin a formal inquiry. The public is being urged to avoid the area to allow for ongoing emergency operations throughout the night. Local utility companies have also been dispatched to the scene to monitor gas and power lines in the immediate area.
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