Submitted Photos##Firefighters use a ladder truck to reach the second floor of the 3rd Street Pizza building. The fire occurred on Wednesday around 5:30 am.
Submitted photo##Firefighters work to control a fire at the building at Third and Evans streets that houses 3rd Street Pizza and the Moonlight Theater Wednesday morning.
Update 2:30 p.m.: Police and fire have reopened all downtown streets after closing sections following a fire that damaged the 3rd Street Pizza/Moonlight theater building and caused smoke damage to NW Food & Gifts.
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One person was evacuated and there were no injuries in a downtown fire Wednesday morning, according to a press release from the McMinnville Fire Department issued this statement about the fire that happened Wednesday, May 24, 3rd Street Pizza, 433 NE Third St.,
At 5:23 a.m., YCOM received several 911 calls reporting a fire in the alley near Northeast Third and Evans streets. Firefighters arrived within three minutes and found flames coming from a door in the Evans Street alley. Firefighters quickly called a second alarm to bring in additional firefighting resources. The building is attached to other properties that could cause the fire to spread quickly from one occupation to another, according to department spokesman Scott Law. This downtown McMinnville block is a mix of commercial and residential occupancy.
One resident was safely evacuated from the neighboring annex building. The fire was upgraded to a third alarm to ensure there were enough firefighters on scene to deal with the high-risk incident and prevent flames from spreading to adjacent buildings. An aggressive initial attack by the first arriving engine crew stopped the fire’s growth and contained all fire damage at 433 NE Third St. The business located at this address is 3rd Street Pizza Company, which houses a pizzeria and a full-size movie theater. The third alarm brought fire resources from Amity, Dayton, Carlton, Sheridan, Grand Ronde Tribal and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. A TVF&R ambulance was dispatched to McMinnville to handle any additional medical calls not associated with the fire.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The investigation is being handled by the Oregon State Police and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office. They are being assisted by Portland Fire & Rescue. The McMinnville Fire Department was also assisted by McMinnville Water & Light, YCOM, the McMinnville Police Department and McMinnville Public Works.
