Man jumps from window to escape NE Portland house fire
PORTLAND, Ore. – A man had to jump from an upstairs window to escape a fire in his Northeast Portland home on Monday morning.
The man was not hurt in the jump, according to firefighters. Another person in the house was able to escape through the front door.
Heavy white smoke was pouring from the house when firefighters showed up.
The two story house is located at 32 NE Fremont, near the corner of Fremont and North Williams Avenue. Neighbors said the house was more than 100 years old.
Both people who escaped the fire were renters, firefighters said.
Fire department spokesman Rich Chatman said the fire started when a burning cigarette ignited a couch in the living room. The house was a total loss.
A KATU reporter on the scene said Fremont Street was shut down for several blocks and that power lines were knocked down near the house.
In light of what happened, firefighters want to remind everyone that smoking is the leading cause of preventable home fire deaths. Here are precautions you can take to keep safe:
- Put out all cigarettes, cigars or pipes before you leave the room.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Use deep ashtrays. Don't put ashtrays on the arms of sofas or chairs.
- Keep matches and lighters locked up and away from children. Teach children to tell you if they find a lighter or matches.
- If smokers have visited, check floors and seat cushions for butts and ashes that may have dropped.
I lived in this house. The media portrayed us as "freeloaders", "careless smokers", and "renters". They all seem a bit derogatory considering the lack of knowledge they've had about the residents of this house over the years. The fire investigator's position in this scenario is to determine whether or not it was ARSON, and it DOES NOT mean that it was the cause of the fire. I believe that it was a blunt observation made within an hour of the fire. Guess who will REALLY determine the cause of the fire? Given that over 200k is on the line for the owner HOWARD WILLETT , the INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR will go forth with a very detailed investigation to determine the actual cause of the fire.
Thank you to all of our friends, neighbors and strangers who have supported us through this tragedy, and a big SUCK IT to everyone who would has been horrible enough to put us down when all we've been doing is struggling to maintain a positive attitude and keep our lives afloat.Â
P.S. Â R.I.P. Penny (The Cat) R.I.P. 32 Fremont aka "Freewilly" aka "BOG".Â
I once ran out my back door to escape my Sister-in-Law.
 Even "Punk Bicycle kids" know enough to get out of a burning house.... Slow news day?
Kinda interesting to see all the nuisance complaints associated with this property over the years.. Tells you a lot about the owner, who lives in a different city, and the people he allowed to live there:
http://portlandmaps.com/detail.cfm?action=Permits&propertyid=R103345&state_id=1N1E27AA%20%202200&address_id=600647&intersection_id=&dynamic_point=0&x=7647284.905&y=693324.027&place=32%20NE%20FREMONT%20ST&city=PORTLAND&neighborhood=ELIOT&seg_id=133980@StealthActivist OH, I read those complaints. They were mostly for Overgrowth of blackberry/bushes. Did you even read them?
@Chris Reid @StealthActivist Â
I read them. When I was a renter I took care of the property I rented. Â
Are you incapable of trimming blackberry bushes?Â
@Chris ReidÂ
Well let's see what it actually says... Sofa in yard, television in yard, excessive weeds and grass on sidewalks plus blackberries, loud music, stereo, started 3 months ago, starts at 1:30am and lasts 1 hour, chicken coop next to property line, chicken feces, OVERGROWTH PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD; there is visible trash left on the sidewalk and in front of the home, have seen multiple rats in the area due to the filth and food left out. Backyard had dirty standing water in a small pool all summer which caused a horrible mosquito problem.
Hmmm.. Sounds like a bit more than just blackberries, but whatever. All of those problems could have been easily rectified by whoever was living in the house at the time. Â
I too was a renter for a number of years and ended up in a few places that needed significant improvement when I got there. So I did what I could to improve the place where I lived. Some people actually do that, even without pay and even without being compelled to do it. They're the same people who do volunteer work in the community. I guess that's not you though.
@StealthActivist @Chris Reid Yes, especially since it was prior to my residence. What a significant complaint...blackberry bushes....really. You made it sound as if it were something significant, like domestic disputes or drug usage in open view of the public. Yeah, blackberry bushes.
Yes, learn a bit about the neglect of the owner who owns more than three dozen properties in the N/NE Portland Area. After several requests to fix outlets that have ALMOST started fires over the years, one of them finally burned everything we had. We were there to stop that wiring from igniting OUR home then, but we weren't this time. I'd like to register a complaint with you, and your ignorance. I lived there, and you don't know a damn thing.
The nuisance reports who were submitted by the people who've gentrified the neighborhood to what it is today?
Should of had a bud light
I passed this house just as a huge burst of flames was blowing out the front window...even before the fire department arrived. The flames were so hot I could feel the heat from inside my car. Scary. I am glad everyone is okay.
I used to smoke Mores because if left in a ash tray or counter they would go out to be smoked later Also shermans were this way even the 20 dollar ones
Living in a home built in 1907 in North Portland, fire is always a fear for us. Our home is insured well but, sadly, we do not have the funds to remodel our home though I would love to. Some work has been done such as switching from fuses to an actual breaker box and shower installed on the claw foot tub but the wiring is still far from good with only one outlet per room. These older homes just don't have a chance when things like this happen. :( It's sad because they are a part of our city's history and have some beautiful craftmanship in them. Our fireplace mantle & staircase railing are both made of beautiful cherry wood and we also have built in cabinets around the fireplace and a built in china cabinet. I'm glad the people got out OK but I mourn the loss of a house with history.
That house should have been on Historic National register part of Portland. Too bad the owner didn't remold the house back to original glory. That's shame.
Yep, fear of death is a pretty powerful motivator.Â
'...the fire started when a burning cigarette ignited a couch in the living room'
Can't help but wonder if it will motivate someone to quit smoking?
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@Dr. Rawdog It really was
I know that house, its punk bicycle kids. I hope they are all ok but I bet this was caused by faulty wiring or a cigarette. I lived in an old NoPo house and the wiring was alarming,Â
You're right about everything except the cigg and punk bike kids
What is a "punk bicycle kid"?
@Oregon7812 That's how cranky old men describe someone having fun;-)
ZOMG - I live in Portland. This could have been me!
@Oregon7812Â I feel your pain. Â I lived in Portland until 15 years ago and for a while I lived in NE Portland. Â Couldda been me, too. Â Whew.
Love those old homes classic homes, but they sure can be fire traps. Hope everyone is OK. Sad to loose a home like that.
@katufanman ~  Um-hmm... I love the old homes, too... it always makes me sad to see one destroyed like this...Â
Glad that no one was injured in this fire...Â
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@Dr. Rawdog @katufanman The house or your life in general;-)
@Dr. Rawdog "It's got (or had) potential".  Rolling my eyes at myself recalling men I've uttered that about. Â