30 People Escape Apartment Fire in Milwaukie

Investigators say this is a case where fire sprinklers in an apartment building could have significantly reduced fire damage.

Salem-News.com

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - A 4 alarm fire broke out at the Clackamas Heights Apartments just before 3:00 PM Friday. Clackamas firefighters arriving at the apartments at 10807 Monroe in Milwaukie, they found heavy fire showing from the southwest corner of the apartments.

The first arriving crews found the rear of the apartment complex fully involved along with an out building. Large trees next to the apartment building were also fully involved.

Firefighters say they quickly started to attack the fire in the apartments and also protected the adjacent buildings. Initial crews started a quick search of all the apartments for victims and everyone was evacuated.

A spokesman says fire got into the attic space and started to grow rapidly. Truck company crews performed a trench cut in the roof to stop the fire spread in the attic.

Firefighters from Clackamas Fire, Portland, TVF&R, Gresham and Gladstone battled the four alarm fire which took 90 minutes to bring under control. A total of ten units were damaged in the fire which displaced 19 residents.

During the fire, investigators arrived on scene and started questioning many witnesses who had reported the fire. There were over 30 calls to 911 reporting the fire. Fire investigators remained on scene and continue to search for clues to where and how the 4 alarm blaze began. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined. No fatalities or injuries were reported due to the blaze.

This is a case where fire sprinklers in an apartment building could have significantly reduced fire damage.