Food Cart Fire In Downtown Portland Sparks Explosions, Damages Cars

PORTLAND, OR — Two food carts, several cars, and a handful of trees in downtown Portland were torched Wednesday afternoon when a food cart worker spilled gas while attempting to refuel a generator used to power his food cart, according to Portland Fire & Rescue officials. Fumes from the spilled fuel reportedly ignited around the generator, which subsequently lit off several propane tanks.

One explosion across the parking lot along Southwest Columbia Street, between Southwest First and Second avenues, was captured on cell phone video and shared via KATU News:

Fire officials say the fire began shortly after 3 p.m. Oct. 18 and quickly spread to adjacent food carts. At least 10 cars and one large tree were badly damaged, officials said.

Food cart workers reportedly tried to beat back the fire with extinguishers just after it began but were unable to control the flames before the inferno grew out of control.

When fire crews arrived, the situation was escalated from a one-alarm fire to a two-alarm fire, officials said. Fire & Rescue crews, however, were able to get the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

Several workers suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, officials said.

WATCH: Raw footage of fire destroying food carts in downtown Portland Oct. 18

From Portland Fire & Rescue:

Portland Fire reminds everyone to never fuel hot power equipment. When fueling equipment, be sure that you are away from all combustibles and other heat sources. Always read the instructions for equipment carefully and heed all safety warnings and labels.

While this fire was caused by improper fueling, once the carts and several adjacent vehicles were burning, the intensity of the heat and flames caused two propane cylinders to rupture. Any container the has compressed gas in it, including propane, natural gas, aerosol cans, and even vehicle tires, can become over-pressurized when exposed to the intense heat of fire and the gas inside expands.

Portland fire officials clarified that food carts and their propane tanks are not regulated by the Portland fire code but rather the Federal Department of Transportation and the Fire Marshal's Office, respectively.

Propane permits can be found online at PortlandOregon.gov/fire, under "Permits and Inspections", officials said.

Photos Courtesy: Portland Fire & Rescue, with credit to Greg Muir