Portland firefighters rushed to the Holiday Inn on Hayden Island on Tuesday after reports of smoke coming from the hotel’s roof, prompting a visible response along the busy Columbia River corridor.
Portland Fire & Rescue sounded the first public alarm in a brief post on X at 7:26 p.m. UTC on March 24, 2026, noting that crews were on scene at the Holiday Inn Portland Columbia Riverfront on N. Hayden Island Drive. The initial update did not mention any injuries or offer clues about what sparked the incident.
What Portland Fire & Rescue Reported
According to Portland Fire & Rescue, firefighters arrived to find smoke showing from the hotel’s roof. The agency’s first message was short, posted as crews were getting into position, and stopped well short of confirming the size or exact location of the fire.
The alert also did not say whether any guests or staff had been evacuated or if anyone had been hurt, leaving plenty of unanswered questions as crews worked the scene.
Where This Happened
The Holiday Inn Portland Columbia Riverfront is listed at 909 N. Hayden Island Drive on hotel listings, and IHG shows the same address for the property. Perched on Hayden Island in the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, the hotel is in plain view for commuters heading toward the Interstate Bridge, which helps explain why any sign of trouble there tends to draw quick attention.
Local Response and Access
Portland Fire & Rescue’s station map lists Station 17 on Hayden Island at 848 N. Tomahawk Drive as covering the area, putting firefighters close to the hotel when a call like this comes in. With the building sitting right on the riverfront and near a major traffic route, incidents at the site are not just an issue for hotel guests, they are also highly visible to drivers and nearby businesses.
What We Still Do Not Know
As of that first public post from Portland Fire & Rescue, officials had not released any information about what caused the smoke, how much damage the property might have sustained, or whether anyone was injured. There was also no word yet on evacuations or when the scene might be cleared.
We will continue to watch official channels and update as fire officials and the hotel provide more details.
