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The demolition of the Centennial Mills warehouse in Northwest Portland begins Monday, following the removal of its water tower.

The demolition of the Centennial Mills warehouse in Northwest Portland begins Monday. Crews recently detonated the water tower, which had been devastated by fire weeks ago, sending it into the building below. The city has advised residents to stay inside and wear N-95 masks to protect against asbestos and lead particles during the process. Neighbors Eric Settels and Emily Neal noted that some residents learned of the demolition through word of mouth rather than official notification. While some buildings have shut off HVAC systems to prevent dust from entering, the city plans to use four explosions to detach the water tower. The full demolition process is expected to take several weeks. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and investigators will be able to safely examine the origin once the building is fully demolished. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas is introducing a federal bill to fund mental health services for first responders, including firefighters and EMS workers.

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