Fire In NE Portland Kills Man, Dog

Tragedy happened in a house fire of a horder. One person died and another was injured in the Cully neighborhood, Portland Fire & Rescue said.
Rescue arrived to the scene and found fire coming from the front of a one-story home. The fire had engulfed the home and was showing from windows on other sides. On arrival, a woman with seriously injuries was outside. She was taken to a hospital. 

PF&R said the woman is in critical condition. After suppressing a large amount of the fire inside the home, crews began searching for other victims. Rescue said a man, identified as David S. Johnson, 59, was found dead inside the home. A dog was also found dead. It was reported that another person was still inside the burning home.

Fire crews said this all took place outside a one-story home near the 4700 block of Northeast 57th Avenue and Going Street. The crew said firefighters fought a huge blaze coming through the front door of the house. It was difficult to get through the house and suppress the flames long enough to find the man and dog trapped inside due to “Hoarder-like” conditions inside the home. The debris also “added fuel to the rapidly growing fire,” according to the agency. 

The scene was not typical and was dangerous. An interior wall fell as firefighters found an inferno throughout the entire home. This made it where the crews had to fight the fire from outside of the house. 

There is an ongoing investigation to determine what caused the fire. It was reported that neighbors initially saw the flames and attempted  to rescue the residents before rescue crews arrived. The Portland Fire & Rescue has made this a teaching and learning moment. It reminded residents to install and regularly test smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every level of the home – including the basement.