Portland Cully Fourplex Fire Displaces 10, No Injuries Reported

A fire that raged along the back of a small apartment building in Northeast Portland on Monday morning left roughly ten people without a place to stay, though firefighters knocked it down quickly and no one was reported hurt.

What happened

Crews were dispatched at about 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, to the Cully neighborhood, KPTV and KATU reported. KPTV placed the fire in the 6200 block of Northeast Simpson Street and described the building as a two-story, four-unit apartment structure with smoke visible from the rear. KATU placed the scene near Northeast 62nd Avenue and Simpson Street, though a photo caption in its story gave Northeast 64th, so the exact cross street is not clear from its report.

Portland Fire & Rescue found heavy fire on the back of the building, according to KPTV, and called a second alarm to bring in more crews. KATU reported that firefighters cut holes in the roof to vent smoke and that the fire was under control shortly after 11 a.m. A primary search of the building found no one inside, KATU said.

Who was affected

KPTV reported that 10 people were displaced and that the Red Cross is assisting them. KATU's report, published about half an hour after the fire was controlled, did not include a displacement count. Neither outlet reported injuries to residents or firefighters. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation.

Response and aftermath

The speed of the knockdown matters for the people who live there. According to KATU, the fire was under control within well under half an hour of dispatch, which can limit water and smoke damage in the units that were not directly burned. Even so, buildings hit by fire often stay closed until inspectors confirm the structure, electrical service and gas lines are safe, and the displaced residents' timeline for returning has not been announced. KPTV and KATU both said the cause remains under investigation, and neither identified the property owner or manager.

Why small buildings matter

Fourplexes and similar small multifamily buildings are a big share of the rental housing stock in many cities, and they often have fewer of the fire protections found in larger complexes. Depending on the age of the building and the local code, they may not have a sprinkler system or fire doors between units, so a fire that begins in one apartment can reach neighbors quickly. Reports of this fire did not say whether the building had a sprinkler system or how many of the four units were damaged.

What this means for renters

• Test your alarms. Press the test button on every smoke alarm monthly. If an alarm is missing, chirping or older than ten years, tell your landlord in writing; smoke alarm requirements for rentals vary by state and city, so check your local rules. See our smoke alarm and escape plan guide.
• Know both exits. In a small building, the rear stairs or back door may be your closest way out. Make sure they are not blocked by storage, bikes or locked gates.
• Keep your insurance current. The landlord's policy covers the structure, not your belongings or your hotel bill. A renters policy with loss-of-use coverage can pay for temporary housing; read our explainer to see what to look for.
• If you are displaced, contact the Red Cross for immediate needs, notify your landlord and insurer, and consult the first-72-hours checklist. Ask in writing whether you owe rent for the period your unit is uninhabitable; the answer depends on your lease and Oregon law, and a local tenant-rights group can help you check.

Portland Fire & Rescue has not yet announced a cause. This story will be updated if officials do.