After spraying fire-retarding foam inside the living room and kitchen to smother any remaining embers, the crew of Engine 11 waits for the Arson Squad Investigator to finish examining the burned apartment unit.

Preparing breakfast turned into a kitchen fire, at about 7:45 a.m. on the morning of April 25, at a triplex at S.E. 79th Avenue and Mitchell Street in the Foster-Powell neighborhood.

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Lents Station Engine 11 was first on-scene, and reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the front downstairs apartment in the building.

While some crewmembers began to attack the fire, others searched the building, making sure all residents were out.

Because of the fast response, the fire was quickly extinguished.

Family members waited outside the building, and spoke with an Arson Squad investigator, while the crew of Engine 11 used water from their “booster hose” to activate a “Class A Foam” unit which smothered and extinguished any embers.

“It appears this started as kitchen cooking fire that then extended to the living room,” PF&R Public Information Officer Rich Chatman told THE BEE. “There were no injuries related to this fire.”

American Red Cross Cascades Region volunteers arrived to provide personal supplies, and to help the residents find temporary shelter.