Human remains detected in Centennial Mills
K9 teams discover "high likelihood" of remains in rubble of burned out warehouse
Yesterday, Portland Fire & Rescue’s Human Remains Detection K9 Teams signaled the presence of human remains in rubble inside the burned-out Centennial Mills warehouse.
Further investigation is tied to demolition of the eight-story masonry structure. Portland Permitting & Development has notified owner Stuart Lindquist to “begin the removal of the water tank and the demolition of the mill as soon as possible and no later than Friday, Aug. 14.”
The city of Portland announced that “preliminary ambient air-quality testing conducted following Sunday's fire … indicates a low risk to the general public from airborne contaminants.”
The public is requested to avoid entering the fire scene while cleanup and investigation efforts continue.
Neighborhood Emergency Team volunteers have been walking throughout the Pearl District distributing informational flyers related to the Centennial Mills fire.
“Although the property owners completed asbestos abatement several years ago, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has confirmed that some fire debris that landed in the neighboring Pearl District contains asbestos,” wrote Brendan Jamieson of the Pearl Neighborhood Emergency Team. “The building also remains at risk of collapse, which could further disturb contaminated debris if that occurs.”
Preliminary testing indicates low risk from debris and air after the Centennial Mills fire
Today, State Rep. Shannon Isadore announced intent to introduce legislation next year to increase oversight of long-vacant, structurally compromised historic properties.
