City Of Portland: Portland Fire Responds To Fast Moving Fire

Press release from the City of Portland:

October 27, 2021

At the time of the fire, four occupants were sleeping inside their home and they were alerted by their smoke alarms. This early notification allowed all four family members to escape their home safely. “The presence of working smoke alarms absolutely played a key role in ensuring the occupants were able to safely escape this morning's fire,” stated Portland Fire Chief Keith Gautreau. “Without that early notification, this fire could have had a much more tragic outcome,” added Chief Gautreau.  

The fire is currently under investigation by the Portland Fire Departments Fire Investigation Team which is standard practice.

October is National Fire Prevention Month and Portland Fire Officials want to take this opportunity to stress the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides the following tips regarding smoke alarms: 

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. 
• Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
• When you change your clocks, remember to change smoke alarm batteries.

This press release was produced by the City of Portland. The views expressed here are the author’s own.