Broken Sprinklers and Electrical Hazards at Centennial Mills Were Documented by Portland Fire & Rescue Before the Blaze

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Fire & Rescue had already identified fire and safety concerns at the Centennial Mills building before the eight-story flour mill was engulfed by fire on August 2.

This is disclosed in a Portland Fire Division report obtained and published by KATU news.

Among the transgressions of fire codes listed in the report were:

• The electrical system failed to comply with fire and building codes
• Main service boxes were open, with high voltage energized open ends creating hazardous conditions
• The sprinkler system was out of service
• Homeless people living in the building were found by fire crew

Portland Fire & Rescue ordered the repair of the sprinkler system, the annual testing of the sprinkler system, securing all open windows located close to the fire escape, the repair of the cyclone fence, and boarding shut all openings.

Fire Forces Emergency Demolition

Two weeks after the fire, on August 15, the city of Portland website announced that officials were working with the building owner on a safe demolition plan.

The demolition would begin with contractors using controlled explosions to ‘take down’ the water tower. This would be followed by the controlled dismantling of remaining walls to keep the spread of debris dust to a minimum.

The city was expecting the demolition of 50% of the building to take two weeks, and warned residents that a possible collapse of the structure could release lead and asbestos particles into the air.