Firefighters trying to find cause of early-morning fire in Raleigh Hills

Firefighters from TVF&R and Portland Fire and Rescue were able to stop a dangerous two-alarm fire and limit the damage in an apartment complex this morning  at 4804 SW Oleson Road in the Raleigh Hills area. 

Several residents called 911 just before 4 a.m. reporting large flames coming from the balcony of the building’s third floor. One caller said the flames were taller than a person. 

Firefighters aboard Engine 65 from TVF&R’s West Slope Station arrived four and half minutes later and observed the back deck of the apartment complex’s third story fully involved in flames. Two minutes after arriving, firefighters began an offensive attack of the flames. As firefighters assessed the situation and the resources on-scene, they made the decision to upgrade the fire to a second alarm, which caused dispatchers to send additional firefighters. 

Firefighters were able to knock down the majority of the fire in the building’s third story within 12 minutes of arriving on scene. 

Two apartment units on the third floor were heavily damaged by fire and smoke. A total of eight people are displaced. One resident in each third floor unit is displaced. Two additional units downstairs suffered smoke and water damage. Six people from those two units are displaced. No residents or firefighters were injured.

TVF&R investigators are interviewing witnesses and sifting through the charred evidence to determine the cause of the fire. Investigators can confirm that the fire started on a third floor balcony and moved into the apartments. 

A total of 38 firefighters and two investigators responded to the fire. The Red Cross is assisting the residents who were displaced.