The cause of a three-alarm fire that devastated a historic Portland church overnight, raising concerns of a major infrastructure collapse, remains under investigation as of Wednesday.
Portland Fire & Rescue was called to the Old Portland Korean Church, at the intersection of Southwest 10th and Southwest Clay Street, around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. There were reports that the fire was coming out of a church and that the flames were crashing into the house to the east of the building.
As of Wednesday morning, water was still being poured on the structure, although the fire has since been considered to be contained. Initially 85 firefighters were on the scene, though the response has been reduced to two engines and two trucks that have been operating overnight.
There is still serious concern about the structural collapse of a 65-foot-tall exterior wall of the church that could eliminate the area’s aerial power source if it falls, according to Portland Fire Public Information Officer Rick Graves, who spoke with Fox News Digital by phone Wednesday morning.
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Firefighters use hoses on a massive fire at Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
The three-story, 3,000-square-foot stave church, completed in 1905, had already been deemed unsafe in September 2020 due to earlier fire activity that left extensive damage to the flooring.
Flames tear through Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
All lower-level entry points, including doors and windows, were boarded up to prevent unwanted entry, and the church was checked regularly by both the owner and a fire safety specialist, Graves said. The last inspection happened on Friday.
Portland firefighters use a crane to pour water at the Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
The church “was currently vacant and not in active use” when the fire broke out, the department said.
“It is being investigated. Any investigation by the fire investigation unit has a criminal element, but there is no predetermined suspicion of criminal activity, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t any,” Graves said.
Old Portland Korean Church seen on fire.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
The structural stability of the church will be evaluated by the city engineer on Wednesday morning.
Portland Firefighting Air Efforts at Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
Due to the height of the bell tower, a collapse could reach overhead power lines that service the Portland streetcar, Graves said in a statement also obtained by Fox News Digital.
View from the first engine that arrived at the scene of the fire.
(Portland Fire and Rescue)
Because the structure was previously deemed unsafe, Graves explained that firefighters did not go in and deployed what is called a defensive strategy from an outside position, pouring water on the fire. When the first floor boards were removed, a chimney effect was created, as the sudden flow of air pushed the fire up through the bell tower.
Portland Fires &erio; Rescue response to the Old Portland Korean Church fire.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
The full investigative report is not expected for some time, Graves said.
Portland firefighters work to put out a large fire at a historic church.
(Greg Mur/Portland Fire and Rescue)
No injuries were reported at the scene. There will be five displaced neighbors from the neighboring house. Initially listed as one alarm, the fire grew aggressively in the church to second and then third alarm as crews delayed by rush hour traffic rushed to set up their trucks.
A neighbor took a photo of the Portland fire engine activity below the Old Portland Korean Church.
(Portland Fire and Rescue)
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The walls of the church bulged and leaned due to fire damage combined with the flow of water, forcing some of the apparatus on the scene to reposition outside of the collapse zone.
Crews also withdrew from a nearby house fearing the church would collapse.
