Portland grass fire destroys buildings, forces evacuations
Posted August 27, 2019 1:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Authorities say a wind-driven grass fire in a residential neighbourhood of Portland, Oregon, damaged five buildings, destroyed 50 cars in a parking lot and prompted evacuations.
Portland Fire and Rescue said Tuesday the fire was out and residents could return to their homes. No one was hurt.
The fire Monday created a plume of black smoke that was visible throughout much of the city during rush hour.
The blaze in a densely populated area of a big city is unusual and comes as a late-summer heat wave in the region was expected to push temperatures close to 100 degrees (38 Celsius) on Tuesday.
Fire authorities issued a burn ban effective immediately in the metropolitan area because of high temperatures, low rainfall and dry conditions.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Associated Press
