NEWS RELEASE
June 6, 2001
Contact Information:

TVF &R : Cassandra Coogan, (503) 723-6749 or 940-4126 (pgr.)
Oregon City Police Department: Mike Jarvis, (503) 657-4964
Clackamas County Sherrif’s Office: Angela Blanchard, (503)
Oregon State Police: Greg Hastings, (503) 731-3027
Clackamas County Fire District #1: Troy Buzalsky (503) 655-8534

Last night at 6:20 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the report of several extinguished fires within the Oregon City Kmart store, 19003 Beavercreek Road. When firefighters arrived moments later, they confirmed that the small fires throughout the store were indeed extinguished, verified that there were no employee or customer injuries and performed smoke evacuation. Fortunately the Kmart employees’ quick action prevented the fires from spreading. Though the building has a fire sprinkler system, it was not activated due to the early containment.

Interestingly enough, this incident resembles a second alarm fire that occurred on June 4^th at the Milwaukie Kmart. According to fire officials from Clackamas County Fire District #1, store employees used 15 dry chemical fire extinguishers in an attempt to combat the fires. Clackamas County Fire District #1 fire investigators later determined that three separate fires had been intentionally started in the store. Unlike the Oregon City Fire, two store employees were treated for smoke inhalation and asthma after battling the fire and the store assistant manager was transported to the hospital and later released in good condition.

Twelve other fires in the areas of Clackamas, Milwaukie and Gladstone -described by Clackamas County officials as "suspicious and intentionally started fires"- have occurred in the last two weeks. Though investigators have not yet determined whether or not these cases are connected, several agencies including the Oregon City

Police Department, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Clackamas County Fire District #1, Gladstone Fire Department and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue are staying in close contact to ensure that any pertinent information is shared.

It was the open communication amongst these agencies that prompted Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue to warn Oregon City retailers of the fires in Clackamas County and to remind them to be watchful in case retailers were being specifically targeted. In fact the Oregon City Kmart had been contacted just hours before yesterday’s fires occurred.

Even if retailers are not specific targets, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue would like to remind retail outlets of the importance of being prepared for any fire or emergency that may take place in their business:

• Be aware of your business’ evacuation plan and practice it with all employees.

• Know where your fire extinguishers are located and be certain all employees understand how to operate them. (TVF&R offers fire extinguisher classes. Call 503-625-2065 for more information.)
• Be aware of any suspicious activity and immediately report it to your local police department.
• Have a communication plan established so all present employees can be notified as soon as possible.
• Review your business’ crime reporting procedures and discuss with all employees.

The Oregon City Kmart fire remains under investigation at this time and is being conducted by the Oregon City Police Department. Any information related to this case can be reported to the Oregon City Police Department Tip Line at (503) 657-4964. Additional information about incidents in Clackamas County can be reported to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at (503) 655-8218.

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