3 days ago
‘Shocked': North Portland Wellness Center scorched by 3-alarm fire
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A three-alarm fire broke out at the North Portland Wellness Center Sunday.
'I want to start crying but I mean, been a labor of love for a long time,' said Lili Scott, co-owner of North Portland Wellness Center.
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The owner got the call to rush to her business. It caught fire after a blaze spread from a vacant house next door.
'I was just shocked,' Scott said.
'So in these conditions, battling fires is another matter entirely,' said Damon Simmons, a spokesperson for Portland Fire and Rescue.
More than 100 firefighters were working in this brutal heat for hours as Portland saw its first day above 90 degrees of the year. This was one of several fires Sunday afternoon, taking a toll on the crews.
'Imagine coming out of your oven into another oven. That's basically what it's like,' Simmons said.
Facing heat from the fire and the air temperature, their heavy gear only adds to their rising body heat. To make sure they are cooling down, extra crews are called, ensuring breaks every 15-20 minutes.
'They're sweating all the liquid out of their body. And so they need, they need that extra rehab and that extra help,' said Simmons.
Business owners and homeowners said they feel for the firefighters battling more than just the flames.
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'Oh my God, I mean, look at what they're doing there. All of them are out here in this gear, and I don't even know what that adds to the temperature. It's 90 degrees and they are working so hard, nonstop. They're amazing, and I'm really grateful,' said Scott.
The cause of the fire that damaged the North Portland Wellness Center is under investigation.
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