A large Oregon grass fire swiftly grew into a four-alarm blaze, forcing residential evacuations and road closings Monday.
The initial brush fire began just before 5:30 p.m. in a field near Rocky Butte in northeast Portland, the city's fire department said. Windy conditions fueled the blaze, and flames began threatening buildings and homes in the area, The Oregonian reports.
Lumberyard Bike Park—an indoor and outdoor biking center—and at least one house were damaged by the fire. Portland crews also shut down parts of Northwest 82nd Street near the blaze, and several homes along Knott Street were evacuated, according to KATU-TV.
Grand Avenue Boxing Club, another business near the fire, posted a Facebook update that said the gym "is on fire engulfed in flames. Live videos were then posted on the page, but no updates were given concerning any damage the fire had done to the building.
Residents within a 10- to 12-block area of the blaze were allowed to stay in their homes but told to keep windows shut and air-conditioners off. Portland officials pointed toward poor air quality issues caused by the fire.
By about 8:30 p.m., firefighters had the blaze mostly under control, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
