August 21, 2024
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INSIDE L ocaL N ews
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Remembering
Carolyn Leonard
November 20, 1943 ~
July 28, 2024 (age 80)
Carolyn Marie Leonard, a pillar
of education, civil rights advoca-
cy, and community service.
42nd Ave Fish & Chips Fire (Photo by Greg Muhr, PF&R Photographer)
Family-Owned Business
Seeks Community Help
Fire Damages
42nd Avenue
Fish & Chips
Portland Fire & Rescue crews
battled a fire at 42nd Ave Fish &
Chips. A responding crew report-
ed that there was a visible “head-
er” (smoke and fire) enroute to
the scene, alerting all incoming
resources that there is indeed an
active fire. First arriving officer
reported heavy fire showing from
the backside of the 2-story build-
ing appearing to be an exterior fire
that was moving interior. Addi-
tionally, it was reported that there
was possibly a living space above
the restaurant. The commanding
officer immediately requested po-
lice response for traffic control, to
shut down 42nd Ave. Crews im-
mediately went into offensive fire
attack mode and used specialized
tools to force open the door and
advance hose lines into the build-
ing. Shortly after crews made en-
try, the next incoming resources
reported power lines had come
down on one side of the structure,
and the incident commander made
an emergency safety announce-
ment over the radio alerting all
firefighters on scene to stay clear
of the hazard. The incident com-
mander then requested PGE be
dispatched to the incident to cut
all power to the building. While
interior crews were working on
extinguishing the fire, additional
crews were assigned to search the
building for any occupants. There
were no occupants found.
Meanwhile, additional crews
were assigned roof operations to
cut ventilation holes. This task
is instrumental for interior crews
because it removes all the super-
heated gases over the fire area and
enables visibility. This is a very
coordinated effort that requires
clear and concise communication,
to not cause a bigger fire problem.
Roof top crews faced challenges
in cutting holes due to the build-
ing having had multiple remodels.
The corrugated metal required lots
of peeling away to expose the fire.
Approximately 15 minutes af-
ter the interior crews began their
offensive attack on the fire, they
reported that it was extinguished,
and they were checking to see if
it had extended to any other areas
of the structure. No extensions
were found at that time, but about
45 minutes later an interior crew
reported feeling heat and were in
search of locating it. Due to mul-
tiple remodels, there were several
different areas within the building
that made it challenging to search
with hose lines and find the fire
problem, but crews moved aggres-
sively and soon located and extin-
guished the fire. No further fire
problems arose, and crews transi-
tioned into the final phase of fire-
fighting operations, referred to as
“overhaul.” This process involves
thoroughly combing through the
entire structure, inside and out,
assuring that all smoke and heat
is completely removed and there
is no possibility of a rekindle. In
doing so, the incident command-
er reiterated to all working crews
that preservation of the fire origin
be left alone to not disturb any ev-
idence of the cause of the fire. A
fire investigator was dispatched to
the scene, and the cause is unde-
termined at this time.
A rehab unit was requested by
the incident commander, and upon
their arrival they support all crews
by refiling their self-contained
breathing apparatus (air packs)
and providing hydration and
snacks for energy replacement.
No reported injuries.
A GoFundMe has been or-
ganized by Saquana Peter-
son, daughter of the owner of
42nd Ave Fish & Chips, Aar-
on Peterson. Donations can be
made at https://www.gofund-
me.com/f/help-rebuild-42nd-
ave-fish-chips?qid=878cbce-
26f39a273e88107fbeba541b5.
“This is a family-owned business
that has been around for almost
about 9 years now. We are at a
loss for words because my father
has worked tremendously hard
for his business. We are now ask-
ing the community to help any
way they can. We are in need of
assistance with rebuilding from
severe damages”.