OREGON — A fire at a multi level commercial building in Oregon was contained quickly Saturday morning after an electrical fan short circuited, according to Oregon Fire Protection District Chief Michael Knoup. Firefighters were called at about 8:50 a.m. to the 200 block of North Third Street after a shop owner reported a burning smell and a fire in a hallway near a bakery. Knoup said the fire started on the second floor and burned through the floor to the street level below. Firefighters had water on the fire within about six minutes of the initial dispatch, and mutual aid crews were canceled at about 9:03 a.m. after the fire was under control. No injuries were reported, but heavy smoke was present throughout the Conover Square Building, which was expected to remain closed for at least today and possibly Sunday. Knoup said the fire was caused by a long extension cord connected to an old floor standing electric fan. The Conover Square building is a former piano factory that houses around 20 independent owner operated boutiques and shops.
The Oregon Fire Chief described the building as a high hazard target because of its age, construction, older electrical systems and the amount of combustible material inside.
“It is definitely a target hazard that we know going in that it’s going to be a difficult fire,” Knoup said.
He said the quick response and early application of water kept the fire from growing larger.
