**UPDATED WITH FIRE CAUSE AND DAMAGE ESTIMATE** PORTLAND FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE FIRE IN "ENERGIZED" NW PORTLAND RESIDENCE
Posted: February 2nd, 2012 4:35 PM
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Portland Fire has determined that the cause of this fire was electrical in nature. Roofers were working on the roof shortly before the fire broke out. Reports indicate they were discarding a piece of metal flashing, which accidentally connected with a high powered electrical line and shorted out the line causing the fire. Damage to the home is estimated at $75,000.
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Portland Firefighters Battle Fire in "Energized" NW Portland Residence
At 12:05 pm on February 2, 2012, Portland firefighters were dispatched to reports of a house on fire at 14200 NW Riverview Drive. Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 22 (St. Johns) arrived first on-scene.
Firefighters quickly discovered that a piece of medal flashing from the roof had dislodged and fell against a transmission power line, fully "energizing" the structure and any metal parts therein. This created extremely dangerous conditions for firefighters to search the home for occupants and a cat that was reported missing.
Firefighters determined that everyone had exited the home safely. Deputy Chief John Harding ordered all crews to evacuate and stay out of the structure for their safety until the power could be shut off. Firefighters were directed to leave all aluminum ladders that had been deployed in place and withdraw from the house.
At 12:56 pm, PGE disconnected the power. Firefighters then entered the structure to knock down the fire after the Incident Commander deemed it was safe to do so.
Reports indicate that the power outage affected traffic lights in the vicinity of the Sauvie Island Bridge and along some portions of Highway 30.
Fire Investigators were called to the scene to help determine the cause of the fire and no estimates of damages are available at this time.
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