At 5:29 pm on April 28th, Portland Firefighters responded to reports of flames coming from a duplex unit located at 6325 SE 93rd Avenue. First arriving firefighters encountered flames coming from the rear of the structure and began laying in hose lines to fight the fire.
Incident commanders were concerned because initial reports indicated that one of the units contained oxygen tanks and possibly chemicals used to manufacture drugs. Firefighters were urged to use extreme caution in fighting this fire because of these potential safety hazards.
One of the units sustained significant fire damage and the other smoke damage. A primary and secondary search of both units confirmed that all occupants safely escaped the fire and no one was injured.
The fire was brought under control at 5:52 pm. A Portland Fire Investigator is currently on scene working to determine the cause of the fire. Damage is currently estimated at $150,000.
The Red Cross has been called in to assist two adults and two teenagers who lived in the unit adjacent to the fire unit in finding alternate housing.
"Firefighters were surprised how fast the fire moved through this duplex, destroying one unit and damaging the other," said Battalion Chief Chris Babcock. "Tonight's fire is one more important reminder of why every family should have working smoke alarms in their homes."
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Update @ 9:22 pm, April 28th: Portland Firefighter Mitchell Gragg sustained a knee injury fighting tonight's duplex fire. Gragg, who has been a firefighter with Portland Fire & Rescue for three years, was treated at the scene for his injury and is back on duty. Gragg works out of SE Portland's Station 25.
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Update @ 2:15 pm, April 29th: Portland Fire Investigators arrested Jacinda Ann White (DOB 3/15/79) at 8:08 pm on April 28, 2011 in connection with this fire. Investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set in the duplex in which White was associated with. White is charged with six counts of Measure 11 Arson I with a set bail of $1.5 million. The six counts of Measure 11 Arson I represent the two individuals in the fire unit and the four individuals persons in the neighboring unit. White was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and her arraignment is set for today. Investigators are unable to release any additional information at this time related to this case. Photo available on Multnomah County Sheriff's Office website: www.mcso.us.
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Update @ 2:45 pm, April 29th: Portland Fire Investigators have determined that the actual identity of the individual arrested in connection with this fire is Justina Eileen Cole (DOB 7/10/84).
Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003
