Union Oil of California Fire, Portland, Oregon
Posted by: 
Rose Red
N 45° 31.370 W 122° 41.403
10T E 524205 N 5041079
Portland Firefighters Park (1927) is a memorial for David Campbell, Fire Chief 1893-1911, and other Portland courageous firefighters who died in the line of duty. The historic signboard tells the story of the disastrous Union Oil Company fire.
Waymark Code: WM21H9
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 08/20/2007
Views: 113
According to the historic signboard, David Campbell, Fire Chief 1893-1911, brought the Portland Fire Department into the age of horseless apparatus. Chief Campbell, eager to put emerging technology to use, christened the first fireboat. He upgraded cisterns and hydrants, and consolidated the alarm system. The City ordered two American LaFrance chemical and hose engines capable of traveling 45 miles per hour.
With a fleet of motorized fire apparatus and a force of proud firefighters, Portland Fire Department was at the peak of its game on June 26, 1911 when the second alarm came from E. Salmon and Water Street. A pump at the Union Oil Company distributing plant had thrown a spark, igniting gas accumulated in its motor pit. Chief Campbell was one of the first to respond. By 8:30 am, every fire company in Portland was at the scene.
As fumes expanded inside one of the half-empty, bulging oil tanks, it groaned, then finally exploded. Flames lashed out in a giant column, and smoke unfolded slowly against the Portland gray sky.
Campbell borrowed a turnout coat from one of his men. He and two other officers entered the building to begin an interior attack. An ominous rumble from deep inside the basement warned that accumulated gases in the basement had reached their flash point. With the second tank explosion, a ball of fire hurled firefighters to the ground and lifted the roof off of the Union Oil Company.
The officers with Chief Campbell retreated from the building, but Campbell never made it out. A fire lieutenant saw him silhouetted against the flames, holding his arms up to brace against the falling roof. At 10:45, they found Chief Campbell, huddled dead in a front line firefighter’s turnout coat. You could still read “F.D” on one of the buttons. -- Portland Fire & Rescue web site.
To this day, Portland Firefighters honor bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty with the Campbell Memorial Ceremony, which takes place the third week in June every year.
Portland Firefighters Park (1927), SW 18th & Burnside, is a memorial for David Campbell, Fire Chief 1893-1911, and other Portland courageous firefighters who died in the line of duty. The historic signboard tells the story and shows a photograph of the disastrous Union Oil Company fire.
Instructions for logging waymark: A photograph is required that shows you (or your GPS receiver, if you are waymarking solo) and the historic signboard.
Type of Structure: other
Other: Memorial Plaque
Fire Date: 06/26/1911
Structure status: Plaque
Cause of Fire:
Spark from pump at the Union Oil Company of California distributing plant.
Documentation of the fire: [Web Link]
Construction Date: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. Did you learn anything after reading about the fire in the waymark? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.