Fire affects multiple downtown John Day businesses
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – UPDATE ( 6:56 a.m.): (From Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush)
“As of 5:30am this morning Main Street is open to vehicular traffic. The north sidewalk between Canyon Blvd and Dayton remains closed to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians are asked not to walk or linger in the fire scene area.”
Bush swung by the newsroom this morning and informed listeners, “It consumed a couple of businesses on Main Street–the 100 Block. The buildings are a total loss. Of course there is smoke damage and some water damage in adjacent businesses.”
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UPDATE: According to Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush, fire engines from Sunriver, Bend and Jefferson County arrived just after 1 a.m. to provide relief to local fire crews who had been on the scene for more than 7 hours. (See photos below)
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UPDATE (12:26 a.m): (Press Release from Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush)
PRESS RELEASE – Downtown District Commercial Fire
On 4-17-23 at about 5:54pm the Grant County Communications 911 center received a report of smoke coming from the business located at 139 East Main Street in downtown John Day, Oregon. Crews arrived on scene within minutes and found an active fire at the business that was spreading. The fire chief reported thick smoke coming from the roofs. Nearby restaurants were evacuated. Additional fire resources from, Canyon City, Prairie City and Mt. Vernon, Oregon responded and spent the next five hours working a difficult structure fire in a row of commercial buildings.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation and the Blue Mountain Ambulance service responded and assisted in evacuating nearby business and closing East Main Street in John Day, from Canyon Blvd to Dayton Street. At least four adjacent businesses have been damaged by fire, smoke and/or water.
Under mutual aid, the Oregon State Fire Marshalls office coordinated the response of a fire task force from Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond and Madras) that is enroute to relieve Grant County fire crews As of 11:30pm the fire scene is still active, but largely extinguished with mop up underway. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
POC for further information John Day Interim City Manager, Rick Allen, rallen@grantcounty-or.gov; 541-815-4380 (Cell) Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator, Eric Bush, bushe@grantcounty-or.gov.
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UPDATE (8:50 p.m.): Firefighters are still battling a large commercial fire in John Day. The blaze started at the DP Home Entertainment (Radio Shack) building and has since spread to multiple neighboring businesses. Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush asks the public to stay clear of the scene. Bush reported that the fire originated in Radio Shack and spread to 1188 Destinations next door through the roof. Damage has also been reported to Country Preferred Realtors.
A cause for the fire has not yet been listed. We’ll keep you updated.
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PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
Local authorities are asking the public to stay away from the downtown John Day area, as multiple agencies are currently battling a commercial fire at the DP Home Entertainment (Radio Shack) building. The fire is reportedly spreading to other downtown businesses.
No details have yet been released regarding the containment of the blaze. Stay posted for updates.
