PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Firefighters battled a three-story house fire in Portland’s Pearl District that ignited around midnight during challenging sub-freezing and windy conditions.
Smoke was reportedly billowing from the home when Portland Fire & Rescue arrived. PF&R said windy conditions fueled the fire’s spread on the second and third floors, prompting a second alarm to be called.
Some crews were directed to protect a nearby apartment complex that they were worried could catch on fire.
With the blaze growing rapidly, PF&R’s chief ordered firefighters inside the burning home to exit.
Flames and smoke seen from a 3-story home in NW Portland on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 (Courtesy: PF&R). 
A NW Portland home was scorched during a fire on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 (Courtesy: PF&R). 
A NW Portland home was scorched during a fire on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 (Courtesy: PF&R). 
Flames from NW Portland home burning on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 (Courtesy Jozell Johnson). 
Smoke billows from a NW Portland home that caught fire on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 (Courtesy: PF&R).
While crews tried to inspect the fire in the basement, fire officials said the blaze had grown to “unsafe levels” for crews to be inside. PF&R managed to attack the fire from outside, eventually downgrading the fire from a second alarm and allowing crews to re-enter.
The flames were put out but crews remain on the scene to monitor any hotspots.
PF&R did not release information on possible injuries.
An investigation is underway.