Just after 8 p.m. on Monday, July 24, callers to 911 reported a bright orange glow and billowing black smoke near the 7000 block of Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in unincorporated Washington County.
Firefighters arrived to find a two-story home engulfed in flames. Based on dispatch records, firefighters and incident commanders knew the home had been abandoned for many years. Firefighters from TVF&R and Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) mounted a defensive fire attack to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes and businesses. It took nearly an hour to contain the fire, and firefighters were able to protect all nearby structures. One TVF&R firefighter sustained a minor injury.
A TVF&R fire investigator began witness interviews while firefighters extinguished the fire. Neighbors cited frequent transient activity in the area with people sometimes living in the abandoned home. Though the home did not have any utilities, there was evidence of pirated power through extension cords.
Based on the possibility of a person being in the abandoned home during the fire, Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) detectives initiated an interior drone search on Tuesday morning. No evidence of people was found inside.
After evaluating burn patterns, a TVF&R fire investigator has determined the fire originated on the first floor, though an exact cause has not yet been determined.
TVF&R and WCSO will continue to investigate the fire, and the building is being secured for public safety. Please contact WCSO at 503-846-2700 if you have any information about this fire.
