UPDATE: Mayor declares emergency: City officials underscore risks of freight operations near Centennial Mills

UPDATE: Emergency Declaration

To protect public health and safety, Mayor Keith Wilson declared an emergency due to the Centennial Mills fire on Aug. 10. This declaration:

• Establishes an executive policy group and command structure.
• Expedites response and recovery.
• Speeds procurement
• Coordinates with other partners.

Risks to public health and safety

City of Portland officials underscored the risks to public health and safety of Union Pacific resuming freight operations near the devastated Centennial Mills warehouse, which was the site of a catastrophic four-alarm fire on Aug. 2 that incinerated the roof and all eight floors, leaving the charred ruins at imminent risk of collapse.

"Our priority has been clear from the beginning," City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III said Monday at a press conference at the Portland Building. "Protect the public, protect first responders, and protect everyone working around this site."

The City has established a safety perimeter around the warehouse, closed Northwest Naito Parkway to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, closed the nearby Fields Park, and asked rail operators to suspend operations on the tracks that run through the collapse zone.

But Union Pacific Railroad notified the City of Portland that it intends to resume freight operations on those rail lines starting today.

Watch the press conference

Vibrations could destabilize the warehouse

Engineers have advised the City that vibrations from trains rumbling through the collapse zone could destabilize the warehouse.

"Passing trains could trigger the collapse of the building," Lee said.

Lee told reporters that the City's authority to stop trains is "very limited," but that the City can issue an Emergency Declaration to speed up response in case of collapse.

City officials highlighted the risks of resuming rail operations in a letter to Union Pacific on Aug. 8.

"The building's stability has continued to deteriorate," Lee wrote in the letter. "The walls and the structural footings for the water tank continue to show signs of movement and degradation; crack widths are increasing, and since Sunday, Aug. 2, we have seen the walls lean and move in different directions. Currently, the building is leaning west, which is toward Naito Parkway and the rail lines."

A building collapse could result in death or serious injury to those on the train, and damage surrounding property. The City urged Union Pacific - if it proceeds with its plan to resume rail traffic - to stage a hazmat team near the rail line and deploy devices to monitor vibrations near the building to warn of imminent collapse.

Amtrak has suspended passenger service between Portland and Seattle through Friday, August 14, and is providing bus transportation instead of running trains through the collapse zone.

"Ballast shield"

On Monday, the City received reports that Union Pacific has set up a ballast shield train, consisting of train cars filled with rock, standing idle on the rail track closest to the warehouse, forming a barrier to protect freight trains passing through the collapse zone.

The City does not endorse any train movement through the collapse zone. However, we continue working with Union Pacific to minimize risk wherever possible, and continue to ask them to delay/cancel any train movements.

Because rail operations could trigger structural failure, city officials once again urge everyone to heed the warnings, respect the barriers, and stay out of the collapse zone.

Investigation continues

Fire Chief Lauren Johnson urged people to respect the safety perimeter. "Please heed the warning signs," she said. "It is not safe to enter the collapse zone."

Fire investigators have used video and drones to gather information about potential cause of the fire. Last week two canine teams reported a high likelihood that human remains are buried under the rubble. The perilous condition of the structure has prevented investigators from getting inside the structure to inspect it more closely.

Fire investigator Jason Andersen said investigators are still assembling data and that it is too early to speculate on the cause of the fire. However, the investigators have ruled out mechanical and electrical systems as a cause. He also said the building, which was built in 1910 and hasn't been actively used for two decades, did not have sprinklers.

'Not a typical demolition'

Eric Kutch, director of Portland Permitting & Development, said his team is working with the property owner to coordinate the demolition. The property owner has engaged a structural engineer and is working to hire a demolition contractor. The City set a deadline of this Friday, August 14, for demolition to begin.

"This is not a typical demolition," Kutch said. Because the building is at imminent risk of collapse, the work requires specialized engineering, equipment, and demolition.

"Everyone involved is focused on removing this damaged building as safely and as quickly as possible," Kutch said.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is working to make sure that any dust, debris, or other airborne hazards are properly controlled throughout the demolition process. Preliminary testing detected the presence of asbestos in some samples of debris from the fire, but environmental regulators say the risk to the general public from airborne contaminants is low.

Camera to monitor site

The City is working to install a live feed camera in Fields Park, which will be focused on the burned-out Centennial Mills warehouse to watch for signs of movement or structural failure.

City officials urge everyone to stay away from the area, which remains an active investigation scene. Please heed warnings and respect barricades.