[nagdu] Portland, OR: Blind man & guide dog rescued from fire

[Ginger Kutsch]

Portland, OR: Blind man & guide dog rescued from fire 

By Joel Iwanaga and KOIN 6 News staffUpdated: Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 7:27
pmPublished: Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 2:39 pm

http://www.koin.com/2013/08/20/apartment-fire-in-pearl-district/

A Portland Fire & Rescue truck responds to the scene of a fire at the the
Pearl Court apartment complex in the 900 block of NW Kearney Street Aug. 20,
2013. (KOIN 6 News) 

 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) - The fire broke out in a Pearl District apartment
around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"When firefighters arrived to the fourth-story apartment, they found
Portland Police Officers outside of the affected room, trying to make
entry," according to a Portland Fire & Rescue release. "[S]moke was pouring
out of the front door of the apartment and screams could be heard coming
from inside."

Firefighters forced the door open and retrieved two adult males, ages 40 to
50, and one dog, according to PF&R.

Both men were taken by ambulance to Emanuel Hospital, suffering from either
burns or smoke inhalation. They are expected to survive their injuries.

One of the men is legally blind; a PF&R spokesperson said that man suffered
smoke inhalation. His guide dog also may have inhaled excessive smoke, but
is expected to be OK.

The fire department reported flames were "quickly" extinguished, and
primarily limited to the kitchen area. As of Tuesday evening, the cause of
the fire was still under investigation.

Traffic was affected in the area around NW Johnson Street and 9th Avenue
during the firefighting and mop-up efforts Tuesday afternoon.