PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man in his 50s who jumped from a window to escape a fire in his Southwest Portland apartment building died from his injuries Friday evening.
Portland Fire and Rescue crews worked quickly to put out the large fire at the Trevor Anthony Apartments at 3554 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.
“There were flames shooting out of the roof and smoke coming out of the building,” neighbor Jackie Linstram said. “A man was hanging out the window. It was pretty surreal.”
The apartment manager, who didn’t speak on camera, witnessed the fall. She said he was trying to hold onto the window but he fell.
“It’s a small community here in this complex,” neighbor Erik Fucci said. “We all try to look out for each other so it’s awful when this happens to your neighbor.”
When it started, heavy fire and smoke were seen coming from a second-floor unit. A second alarm was called as it spread quickly through the building.
“It became a much larger incident than we anticipated right away,” Tommy Schroeder with Portland Fire and Rescue said.
Crews were able to get the flames under control within about and hour and are working to put out hotspots.
Officials said 4 units were affected by the fire. Twelve adults and several cats will be displaced.
Investigators will be working to determine how the fire started.
WATCH: Chopper 6 over the scene of the fire