A massive fire engulfed an RV on Southeast Division Street in Portland Friday afternoon, sending black smoke curling into the sky and shattering nearby windows. The blaze destroyed the vehicle entirely and left a local business facing unexpected damage.
While the immediate cause of the fire remains unclear, the incident displaced two longtime residents and left one family cat unaccounted for. Four days later, Portland Fire & Rescue had yet to release further details, leaving neighbors and business owners questioning what could have triggered such a destructive event.
Chaos on a Busy Portland Street
The fire erupted around 4:20 p.m., a time when commuters were heading home and joggers and cyclists crowded the streets near OMSI. Rick Graves, a Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson, confirmed a single engine was dispatched to the scene. Witnesses recall seeing a massive column of smoke rise above the cityscape, drawing attention from drivers on the nearby MAX Orange Line.
People standing nearby described the scene as both terrifying and surreal. “The smoke was just… huge. You couldn’t see past it,” said one passerby, who wished to remain anonymous. “I thought a building was on fire at first. Then I realized it was the RV, right there on the sidewalk.”
The timing couldn’t have been worse for the area. Division Street between Southeast 8th and 9th avenues is usually bustling at that hour, and the fire forced pedestrians and traffic to reroute, causing a chaotic late afternoon scramble.
Even as flames were extinguished, the air lingered with the acrid smell of burning rubber and chemicals. Residents expressed concern over air quality and safety, especially given the density of traffic in the area.
Longtime Residents Now Displaced
The RV had been home to a couple for several years. They reportedly parked on the property of Standard Electric Motor Service, a small mechanic shop owned by Laurance and Sandra Seet.
The Seets, both in their eighties, had originally permitted the couple to park there to prevent their vehicle from being towed. Recently, tensions had risen as the Seets asked the couple to move their RV.
“We asked them several times,” Sandra Seet said. “He kept saying, ‘We’re going to leave, we’re going to get a different vehicle.’ He was hoping to get paid for some of the help he had done for my husband.”
With the RV now reduced to a charred shell, the residents are missing, and Portland’s Red Cross is assisting them. One cat remains unaccounted for, adding to the emotional weight of the incident.
It’s a stark reminder of the challenges facing Portland’s unhoused community, many of whom rely on RVs for shelter in the absence of affordable housing.
Business Owners Grapple With Damage and Costs
For the Seets, the fire has created a financial and logistical headache. Windows of their business were blown out by the force of the flames. The cost of repairs is uncertain, and with the RV still sitting on the property, removal presents another problem.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be towed away and I don’t know how, because we can’t afford it,” Sandra Seet said.
The couple’s mechanic shop, which has served the community for decades, now faces a disruption in daily operations. Beyond the financial strain, the emotional toll is evident. “It’s just a lot,” Sandra said. “We’ve owned this business for years. It’s supposed to be a place of work, not this kind of stress.”
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Local tow services estimate that removing a burned-out RV could cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500, depending on accessibility and size.
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Insurance coverage for the Seets’ property may only partially cover damage, adding uncertainty.
The fire serves as a reminder that even small, familiar streets can suddenly turn dangerous, and that property owners often find themselves navigating unexpected crises with little support.
Safety Concerns and City Response
Portland Fire & Rescue has not yet confirmed the origin of the fire. While some speculate it could have been electrical or caused by improper heating inside the RV, no official cause has been released.
The city continues to face broader questions about RV safety and housing policies. In recent years, Portland has seen a rise in RVs being used as temporary housing, raising both public safety and zoning concerns.
| Factor | Portland Context | National Context |
|---|---|---|
| RV Fires in 2025 | 17 reported incidents | Approx. 450 nationwide |
| Average Damage per Fire | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Residents Displaced | 2 (current case) | 200+ (annual average) |
Advocates argue that more robust city policies and infrastructure are needed to prevent such fires, including safe parking zones and accessible fire safety resources. Others, however, worry that strict enforcement could push vulnerable populations into more dangerous situations.
For now, neighbors and onlookers are left with the lingering smell of smoke and the sight of a charred RV — a stark symbol of Portland’s ongoing struggle with housing and safety issues.
A Community Reflects on Loss and Resilience
Despite the disruption, the incident has also highlighted Portlanders’ resilience. Neighbors and local businesses rallied to check on the Seets and offer support, sharing stories of fire scares and the shared anxiety that comes with them.
“It’s a scary thing to watch, but everyone just kind of paused to make sure nobody was hurt,” said a nearby cafe owner. “That’s Portland for you — people notice each other.”
For the displaced RV residents, recovery remains uncertain. The Red Cross continues to provide assistance, but their future — and that of their missing cat — is still unclear. Meanwhile, Sandra and Laurance Seet are left to pick up the pieces of both their property and their sense of security in a neighborhood they’ve called home for decades.
