Hawthorne fire

A fire broke out Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, near Southeast Grand Avenue and Madison Street in Portland. It appeared to start in a homeless camp near the Hawthorne Bridge.

(Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Basaca)

A blaze broke out Friday afternoon at a homeless camp near the Hawthorne Bridge in Southeast Portland.

Portland Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Greg Espinoza said the fire originated in an alley and spread to an empty warehouse in the 1300 block of Southeast Grand Avenue.

Heavy black smoke from the fire could be seen from the west side of the Willamette River.

Chuck Shively, who works across the street from the warehouse, was smoking a cigarette outside when he heard a loud bang. He saw an entire tent go up in flames, which spread to the warehouse, he said.

"The flames ran up the wall," Shively said.

Samuel Carpenter, one of the warehouse's owners, said that homeless people set up camp in the alley a few months ago.

"We feel for them," Carpenter said. "This is a problem that the whole city faces together. But what's the solution?"

By 3 p.m., fire crews were mopping up hot spots. No one was injured.

--Samantha Matsumoto

smatsumoto@oregonian.com

@SMatsumoto55



