The cause of a three-alarm fire that ravaged a Portland historic church overnight, sparking concerns of a major infrastructure collapse, remains under investigation as of Wednesday. 

Portland Fire & Rescue was called to the Old Portland Korean Church, at the intersection of Southwest 10th and Southwest Clay Street, around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. There were reports that fire was pushing out of a church and that the flames were impinging up against the home to the east of the building. 

As of Wednesday morning, water was still being poured onto the structure, though the blaze has since been deemed contained. Initially, 85 firefighters were at the scene, though the response has been downgraded to two engines and two trucks that have been operating overnight. 

There is still major concern of a structural collapse of a 65-foot-tall exterior wall of the church that could take out the aerial power source for the area if it comes down, according to Portland Fire’s Public Information Officer Rick Graves, who spoke to WHD News Digital by phone Wednesday morning. 

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Firefighters use hoses on a massive fire at the Old Portland Korean Church.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

The three-story wooden, 3,000-square foot church, completed in 1905, had already been deemed unsafe in September 2020 due to previous fire activity that left major damage to the floor. 

Flames pierce through Old Portland Korean Church.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

All lower-level entry points, including doors and windows, were boarded up to prevent unwanted entry, and the church was regularly checked by both the owner and a fire safety specialist, Graves said. The last inspection happened on Friday. 

Portland firefighters use crane to pour water onto the Old Portland Korean Church.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

The church "was currently unoccupied and not actively in use" when the fire broke out, the department said. 

"It being investigated. Any investigation by the fire investigative unit has a criminal element to it, but there’s no predetermined suspicion of criminal activity, but doesn’t mean there isn’t any," Graves said.

Old Portland Korean Church seen in flames. (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

The structural stability of the church will be evaluated by the city engineer Wednesday morning. 

Portland aerial firefighting efforts at Old Portland Korean Church.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

Due to the height of the steeple, a collapse would potentially reach the overhead power lines that serve the Portland Streetcar, Graves said in a statement also obtained by WHD News Digital. 

View from first engine that arrived at the scene of the fire.  (Portland Fire & Rescue)

Because the structure was previously deemed unsafe, Graves explained that firefighters did not enter and deployed what is called a defensive strategy from an exterior position pouring water on the blaze. When they removed the boards on the first floor, it created a chimney effect, as the sudden airflow surged the fire up through the steeple. 

Portland Fire & Rescue response to Old Portland Korean Church blaze.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

The full investigative report is not expected for some time, Graves said. 

Portland firefighters work to put out major blaze at historic church.  (Greg Mur/Portland Fire & Rescue )

There were no reported injuries on scene. There will be five residents of the neighboring home displaced. Initially deemed a one-alarm, the fire grew aggressively in the church to a second and then third alarm status as the crews delayed by rush hour traffic hurried to set up their trucks. 

A neighbor snapped a shot of Portland fie engine activity below at the Old Portland Korean Church.  (Portland Fire & Rescue)

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The church walls bulged and leaned due to fire damage combined with the water flow, forcing a few of the apparatus on scene to reposition out of the collapse zone. 

Crews also withdrew from a nearby home out of fear the church would collapse.