Photo: KATU
Portland Fire crews responded to a house fire around 3 am Friday at SE 56th Ave. and Cooper St.
Initial reports stated that one house was on fire, and that people were yelling and screaming, and trying to put the fire out at the back of the house with a garden hose.
The first crews found that the house was fully involved, and that the fire was extending to the neighboring house.
Firefighters were quickly able to confirm with one of the residents that everyone was out of the first house. They immediately performed a primary search of the second home to be sure that the residents got out, and did an initial defensive fire attack on the first home.
A second alarm was called within five minutes of arrival, due to multiple hazards that were identified early in the incident.
Not only were two homes involved, but there was a downed arcing power line, and a leaking gas line. Life safety is always the primary focus, and more crews were needed.
Firefighters turned off the gas at the meter to the first house, but were not able to turn off the gas at the second house. The gas meter had melted from the heat of the fire.
PGE and NW Natural were called to the scene to contain the power and gas line hazards. Within 13 minutes of arrival, crews were able to get a good knock-down on the fires in both homes.
Three people escaped the fire from the first home, and one person, two dogs, and a bunny escaped the fire from the second home.
No injuries were reported, and the Red Cross is assisting three residents from the first fire, and five residents that were displaced from the second alarm fire.
Investigators are currently working on determining the cause for both of the incidents.