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Dec 17, 2023

Former Kmart in Northeast Portland destroyed by fire

Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video PORTLAND, Oregon — A large fire completely gutted the interior an old Kmart building near Northeast 122nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy

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PORTLAND, Oregon — A large fire completely gutted the interior an old Kmart building near Northeast 122nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Portland Wednesday morning.Firefighters began responding to the blaze at around 6:30 a.m. Rick Graves, public information officer for Portland Fire & Rescue, told KGW that an officer leaving a training yard across the street from the abandoned Kmart building saw the fire and called for assistance.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen from around the neighborhood Wednesday morning.

Portland Fire & Rescue said that limited hydrants in the area created a challenge for crews and they had to pump from hydrants far away. Another challenge was the 8-foot-tall fence and cement blocks along Northeast 122nd Avenue, placed by the property's owner to limit use of the parking lot. Firefighters cut through locks on the fence and used a winch to move some of the barriers to get into the parking lot.

The agency also said there were concerns over embers possibly landing in the neighborhood and starting additional fires. However, the fire didn't spread and no other fires boke out.

Shortly after 8 a.m., most of the flames were pared down as crews continued to use aerial streams to put the fire out. Photos from the scene later in the morning showed the building completely hollowed out by the flames, with only charred structural beams still standing inside.

Crews will remain at the scene throughout the day, using aerial master streams to keep the fire from growing.

Graves told KGW that a reverse 911 call went out to residents nearby asking them to shelter in place and close their windows to prevent smoke from entering their homes. That order was later lifted. No one was hurt, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.

Kmart closed back in 2018. The roughly 120,000 square foot building has sat empty for years, though it has been used frequently by squatters.

Prologis, the company leasing the property, plans to build a freight warehouse. But neighbors have been fighting this development for months.

"Those kids will just be breathing diesel fumes all day long and then they'll come to Parkrose schools and play on the sports fields and be breathing diesel fumes all day long," said Angela Baker, a Parkrose resident for over a decade.

Baker is concerned about poor air quality and increased truck traffic.

Prologis told KGW they are working with the City of Portland to move the project forward, even though the fire is a setback.

As for claims that a freight warehouse would pollute the air, Prologis said in an email they are "committed to being a good partner in the community" and plan to bring "green logistics infrastructure" to Portland.

Vacant and former Kmart building in NE Portland destroyed by a massive morning fire. Crews still putting out hotspots. Witnesses reported hearing a large explosion and a lot of noise as the roof collapsed. @KGWNews #Kmart #Portland #Fire pic.twitter.com/blMgF9sUHC

Graves said firefighting crews have used the building for training situations.

"We do have interaction with the structure, but it’s not regular so we’re not aware of, there was anybody actively on the inside," Graves said.

Fire investigators have not yet released any information about the cause of the fire or whether there are any reported injuries.Anyone with information about how the fire may have started is asked to call Portland Fire & Rescue's arson hotline at 503-823-FIRE.

This is a developing story and it will be updated when more information becomes available.

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