Rick Graves reports that the 116-year-old Centennial Mills warehouse in Portland is currently unstable following a massive fire.
Rick Graves, a Public Information Officer for Portland Fire & Rescue, reported that the historic Centennial Mills warehouse in Portland's Pearl District remains structurally unstable after a massive fire broke out on Sunday. The 116-year-old building's heavy timber construction provided significant fuel, making it difficult for crews to fight from the inside. Due to structural hazards like missing stairwells and holes in the floor, firefighters were forced to use a defensive strategy, battling the flames from a distance by river and air. The fire has caused significant local disruptions, including the closure of Northwest Naito Parkway and the suspension of Amtrak train service between Seattle and Portland. Officials are currently monitoring the water tower and assessing whether asbestos was released during the blaze. The warehouse is set to be redeveloped by the Human Access Project. Fire officials expect the building to collapse overnight or be carefully demolished if it does not fall on its own.