PF&R investigating ‘suspicious' Powellhurst-Gilbert apartment fire

Yahoo

08-06-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Portland Fire & Rescue is investigating after a 'suspicious' fire at an apartment building in the Powellhurst-Gilber Neighborhood early Sunday morning.
Just before 6 a.m., PF&R responded to a reported residential fire near the intersection of Southeast 118th and Holgate, where the Bureau of Emergency Communication indicated that fire and smoke was seen from a recently vacated apartment.
On the scene, crews saw the blaze on the first and second level of an apartment with smoke pushing through the garage and on the eave line.
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Crews were able to quickly suppress the fire and said all occupants made it out of the building.
According to PF&R, there were no reported injuries and neighboring apartment units were unaffected.
Officials said there were reports of a suspicious person on the property who was quickly arrested by police and has since been released from police custody.
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'After conducting their scene examination, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and the deploying our Arson K9, fire investigators believe this fire was intentionally set,' PF&R said.
Investigators are asking community members for help identifying any suspicious behavior before the fire. Anyone who saw anything suspicious while traveling along SE Holgate between 5:30 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. Sunday morning is asked to contact Portland Fire & Rescue.
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