A four-alarm fire destroyed the historic Centennial Mills warehouse in Portland's Pearl District on Sunday afternoon.
A four-alarm fire engulfed the 116-year-old Centennial Mills warehouse in Portland's Pearl District on Sunday afternoon. The industrial building, which had remained vacant for over two decades, saw every floor collapse as flames moved through its thick timber framing. Due to structural hazards and holes in the floor, Portland Fire & Rescue crews performed exterior defensive actions, dousing the building from the river and by air. Rick Graves, a spokesperson for Portland Fire & Rescue, noted that the building's heavy lumber provided significant fuel for the fire. While the external walls remained standing, the interior structure was largely destroyed. The warehouse, a landmark of maritime commerce, was sold to real estate owner Stuart Lindquist and is slated for redevelopment by the Human Access Project. Amtrak has temporarily suspended train service between Seattle and Portland due to safety concerns regarding the collapse zone. No fatalities or injuries were reported during the incident.