A fire incident early Sunday morning at a Red Robin restaurant in the Lloyd District was reported to have originated from a homeless encampment. According to Portland Fire & Rescue, the warming fire spread to the wall of the restaurant located on Northeast Grand Avenue, igniting a blaze that eventually made its way inside the building.
Firefighters responded promptly, opening up the wall of the restaurant to extinguish the flames before they could escalate and affect the entire structure. Fire officials indicated that the swift action taken by a cleaning crew, who alerted authorities about the fire, was crucial in preventing a potentially catastrophic situation. Had the fire gone unnoticed for longer, it could have had devastating consequences for the entire building and its occupants.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Portland Fire & Rescue expressed their concern regarding injuries often linked to unsafe heating practices, highlighting the dangers that can arise from improper fire management. The agency issued a reminder to the community about the importance of keeping outdoor flames contained within metal bins and maintaining a safe distance from any structures. Additionally, they advised against using stoves as a means of heating to prevent similar incidents in the future.
