PORTLAND -- Crews rescued a partially-deaf man from a fire in his Sellwood apartment early Saturday morning, fire officials said.
Just after 3 a.m. firefighters were called to a fire at the Sellwood Inn Pub, at 8301 SE 17th Avenue, according to Paul Corah with Portland Fire and Rescue.
A fast-moving fire was coming from the back of the building when crews arrived, Corah said.
"Most of the fire was concentrated on the second floor sun deck areas," he added. "While one fire crew was attacking the fire, another fire crew conducted a search of the two apartments located on the second floor."
A partially-deaf man in one of the apartments was unaware the building was on fire until crews reached him. Firefighters helped him out of the building and paramedics treated him for possible smoke inhalation.
Investigators said the fire started in a plastic bucket where smoking materials had been improperly discarded. Damage was estimated at $25,000.
"Although the apartment was not equipped with one, specially designed smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing are available that emit a high intensity strobe light to alert occupants that smoke is in the room," Corah said. Additional fire safety information for people with disabilities is available through the Oregon State Fire Marshal website.
