<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JH3i6_0lidT4Wr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JH3i6_0lidT4Wr00" width="1900" height="1069" >PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Fire &amp; Rescue battled a fire at the old Elks Lodge in the Gateway neighborhood early Thursday morning.The initial report came in around 2 a.m. for a fire in the 700 Block of NE 100th Avenue, according to PF&amp;R. Arriving crews found the lodge going up in flames and designated it a 2-alarm fire. Firefighters said that there were reports of people running from the building when the fire call came in, but no one remained when they arrived. Fire crews said the building was unsafe to enter due to the amount of fire and existing structural damage, so they used defensive tactics to ensure firefighter safety.“The challenge for the crews is we’re conditioned to going inside structures and fighting fires. Trying to have crews accept that they’re not going to go in and do an offensive fire attack is difficult.. but it's an unsafe building with holes at every level... it's unsafe to go in," said Portland Fire spokesperson Rick Graves.Crews told KATU reporters that there have been at least half a dozen fires at the building, and this one will be the last.No injuries were reported, and the cause is currently under investigation.The David Douglas School District owns the property and said it is a potential site for a future elementary school.The district said while there are no immediate plans to build on the property, demolition was scheduled for next week.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Former Elks Lodge burns in early morning NE Portland blaze

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Fire & Rescue battled a fire at the old Elks Lodge in the Gateway neighborhood early Thursday morning. The initial report came in around 2 a.m. for a fire in the 700 Block of NE 100th Avenue, according to PF&R. Arriving crews found the lodge...