Portland Fire & Rescue had its hands full Saturday afternoon, as two fires broke out in Northeast Portland at the same time.

Firefighters were first called to the Union Motel on Northeast Gertz Road shortly after 1 p.m. as heavy smoke poured from the motel office, the Fire Bureau said in a news release Saturday. Initial reports indicated that somebody might still be trapped inside, but a search found that everyone had made it out of the building safely.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire, which started in the office.

While crews were still at the motel, a second fire broke out at an apartment building on Northeast Wygant Street, about seven miles away. When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke rising from the back of the building, according to the fire bureau. Firefighters found a blaze in the bedroom of an apartment.

The initial report was that a resident had stayed inside to put out the flames, but everyone made it out safely as crews extinguished the fire.

Portland Fire & Rescue is taking the opportunity to remind people to “get out and stay out” when a fire breaks out. Returning to a burning structure to retrieve items, save pets or help put out the blaze can be life threatening, the bureau said.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB