Beardsley Auto Parts Fire

By Tim Lyman – Published April 29, 2013 · Updated January 13, 2014 *Missing photos from previous site post

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On November 2, 1977, machinist Reed Barker was working late when he heard footsteps on the roof, a sloshing in the air vents, and then saw the fire. Barker fled the store, barely escaping the fire, and called the Portland Fire Bureau from Renner’s. More than eighty firefighters and nineteen pieces of equipment battled the four alarm blaze, bringing it under control about 10:45 PM, two hours after the first alarm. The fire did not engulf neighboring buildings, but did cause them $16,000 in damage. Today Umpqua Bank stands at Beardsley Auto Parts former location.

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