Man found dead after fire near Portland grain elevator, homicide detectives investigating, police say

A fire torched a shipping container near the grain elevator on the eastern edge of the Willamette River by the Steel Bridge on Sunday, and Portland firefighters then discovered a man dead inside the container.

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a fire near a dock at the grain terminal at 900 N Thunderbird Way around 6 p.m., spokesperson Rick Graves said.

Beau Blixseth, one of the property owners, declined to comment Monday.

Police did not identify the man or say how he died. The Portland Police Homicide Unit is investigating.

If ruled a homicide, the man’s death will mark the 94th in the city so far in 2022. With more than a month left in the year, Portland has already exceeded last year’s grim record of 92 homicides.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the incident to contact Detective Jeff Pontius at jeffery.pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov (503)823-0433 or Detective Steve Gandy at Stephen.gandy@police.portlandoregon.gov (503)823-0449.

– Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; (503) 319-9744

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