4-alarm grease fire destroys N. Portland food factory near I-5
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A 4-alarm fire that erupted inside the Shin Shin food factory in North Portland Monday afternoon billowed smoke high into the air that could be seen for miles from I-5 and beyond.
At its peak, nearly 100 Portland firefighters were battling the inferno that rendered the factory near the Broadway Bridge a total loss. Fire crews will be rotated in and out all night to keep the fire's hot spots from re-igniting.
The grease fire began around 4 p.m. Initially firefighters tried to douse the flames from the inside but it quickly became too dangerous. The 100-year-old brick building trapped heat inside its 26,000-square feet, cracking the façade and created concerns for a potential collapse.
"It legitimately looked like a box of fire," PFR Lt. Rick Graves told KOIN 6 News. "We moved all of our members outside of the collapse zone."
Pacific Power and Northwest Natural shut down utilities in the area, reducing danger to those working around the building. PF&R said after the power was cut, an elevated powerline burned through and fell to the ground near firefighters.
The Portland Water Bureau also increased water pressure to the area, helping fire crews douse the flames from up above and from ground level.
With firefighters battling the blaze defensively, neighboring workers were forced to escape the danger.
"It burned hot and it burned fast," one neighbor named Sharky said.
Guillame Sauton, the owner of Auto Style, said they saw a little smoke when they came outside. "But then it started bursting into flames rights as we started pulling the cars out. So we grabbed all the keys we could and really just rushed out."
Lt. Graves said the owner of Shin Shinn was distraught.
"He's got his business. He's watching it burn in front of him. One of the first things he said to me is, 'I have 65 employees that depend on this location,'" Graves said.
Officials said no one was hurt in the fire.
"It is a complete travesty what is happening here," Sharky said. "They're very great neighbors."
Sauton summed up the feelings of many.
"I'm just hoping the best for all of them."
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.