Portland Fire and Rescue Battled Apartment Blaze
Emergency crews responded to a two-alarm fire in the Cully neighborhood on Monday morning.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Emergency Response
Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a two-alarm apartment fire located near NE 62nd Avenue and Simpson Street. Search crews confirmed that no occupants were inside the building at the time of the incident.
Why it matters
The fire required a significant multi-unit response to manage the flames and ensure structural safety within the Cully neighborhood. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine what ignited the blaze.
The blaze was officially classified as a two-alarm fire, requiring a significant deployment of Portland Fire and Rescue personnel. Firefighters performed roof ventilation to assist with smoke control.
The players
Portland Fire and Rescue
This is the municipal agency responsible for fire suppression and emergency medical response within the city of Portland.
The details
Crews arrived at the scene near NE 62nd Avenue and Simpson Street, where they utilized tactical operations including cutting into the roof to clear trapped smoke. A thorough search of the structure confirmed the building was vacant.
Timeline
The two-alarm fire began on Monday morning, October 12, 2026.
Crews responded to the scene before 11 a.m.
Firefighters began cutting into the roof shortly after 11 a.m.
Seasonal Patterns
The incident adheres to standard operating procedures defined by the 2025 Portland Fire and Rescue residential fire response protocols. These protocols dictate the systematic deployment of equipment and ventilation strategies used during multi-alarm events.
Residents in the Cully neighborhood should avoid the area near NE 62nd Avenue and Simpson Street to allow emergency crews to conduct their investigation. Please monitor local safety bulletins for any traffic disruptions related to the emergency response.
The takeaway
Quick identification of vacant buildings allows emergency responders to focus entirely on structural containment. Residents are reminded to ensure their smoke detectors are functional to provide early warning in the event of future emergencies.
Further reading
Learn more about local incident management in Portland Emergency Response.
