PHOTOS: One person was arrested and two people were rescued early Friday morning as firefighters battled a massive apartment fire on East Burnside Street. Shaun Szwarz, a resident of the building, is now accused of six counts of arson, six counts of reckless endangerment and six counts of first-degree criminal mischief, Portland Fire and Rescue told KOIN 6 News.
PF&R said an apartment near Northeast 104th Avenue and East Burnside Street went up in flames, eventually prompting a four-alarm response. After the fire broke out, authorities said that occupants of the building had sheltered in place until crews could reach them. Within 15 minutes of the fire breaking out, the occupants safely exited the building.
Authorities said that eight people were rescued from the building and two were transported to the hospital for โelevated medical care.โ The two people were still hospitalized by the evening, with serious injuries including second- and third-degree burns, inhalation injuries, a fractured vertebra and ankle, PF&R said. Four people also jumped from upper-floor windows to escape. One cat and four dogs were also rescued from the home. By 6:35 a.m., officials said the bulk of the fire was extinguished, and crews remained on scene to address any hotspots.
Rick Graves with Portland Fire & Rescue said that the Portland Fire Investigations Unit detained one person, who was later arrested and identified as Szwarz.
