Shortly after 4 p.m. today, TVF&R firefighters were dispatched to a gas-fueled fire that broke out at Tosoh Quartz in Beaverton. The caller to 911 reported to dispatchers that gas was filling up the building and a fire had started on the second floor where people were working. 

Firefighters quickly responded to the scene within four minutes of being dispatched to find dark smoke coming from the eaves of the building. Employees were evacuated, and firefighters assisted one patient with burn injuries who was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. 

Once the building was no longer occupied, firefighters began an aggressive attack on the fire. Due to the gas continuing to fuel the fire, and hydrogen and oxygen tanks onsite in close proximity to the building, the incident was upgraded to a three-alarm status, and the TVF&R Hazardous Materials Team was deployed. This provided additional resources to assist with containing and extinguishing the fire as quickly as possible, including shutting off all fuel sources. It took firefighters over an hour to completely extinguish all flames; however, they were able to contain the fire, preventing any extension primarily to areas where chemicals were stored. 

Fire investigators have been processing the scene this evening and will resume work Friday morning in an effort to determine where and how the fire started. 

Battalion Chief Kelly Bach stated that the “crews did an extraordinary job of immediately identifying the nature of the fire they were facing, especially with the onsite chemicals that they were able to isolate from the fire. They rapidly extinguished the fire, preventing extensive damage to the business.”

TVF&R crews were assisted by Portland Fire & Rescue to fight the fire and Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who assisted with closing the road to ensure the safety of the scene.