Light smoke drifting off the roof of a small Portland restaurant was enough to send Engine 22 rolling Friday afternoon, with firefighters forcing their way inside to track down the source, according to a brief department update on social media.
Engine 22 has arrived to a small restaurant with light smoke showing from the roof. they are making entry and investigating.
— Portland Fire & Rescue (@PDXFire) July 24, 2026
On the Scene
Engine 22 works out of Station 22 in St. Johns and routinely handles both commercial and residential calls across North Portland. According to Portland Fire & Rescue, the station is outfitted with Engine 22 and additional apparatus set up for interior attacks and roof operations, the kind of gear crews rely on when smoke is creeping out of a rooftop.
What Portland Fire Posted
In a post timestamped 15:33:56 UTC on Friday, Portland Fire & Rescue reported, "Engine 22 has arrived to a small restaurant with light smoke showing from the roof. they are making entry and investigating." The short update left out an address, any estimate of damage, and any word on injuries while firefighters stayed busy at the scene.
Background
Roof and attic fires can move fast through hidden void spaces, which is why firefighters peel back roof decking and probe attic cavities any time smoke is reported up top. A two-alarm fire at Elephants Delicatessen on March 10 burned through roof decking and drew a heavy response, according to KPTV, a reminder of how quickly a small roof issue can turn into a major incident.
If You See Smoke
Portland Fire & Rescue urges anyone who spots smoke or flames to call 9‑1‑1 instead of posting to social media, and notes that its X account is not monitored around the clock. For official safety information and updates, visit Portland Fire & Rescue.
