Fire hit downtown Portland

Fifty years ago this week, a fire took one life and destroyed four downtown Portland businesses.

The Aug. 2, 1971, edition of The Commercial Review featured coverage of the fire that broke out at Beals’ Lunch, 301 N. Meridian St., Portland. Etta Grimes, 87, Portland, died in the fire, which destroyed the restaurant, Miller Barber Shop, 303 N. Meridian St., Rupe & Son Garage, 305 N. Meridian St., and Ja-Mar Appliance, 307 N. Meridian St.

Two other businesses — Ligget TV, 309 N. Meridian St., and Keep-U-Neat Dry Cleaners, 311 N. Merdian St., were damaged by smoke and water.

The cause of the fire was unknown at that time.

John Schisler, who was hospitalized for injuries from the fire but released the next day, said he tried to help Grimes, who lived in an apartment above Ja-Mar. He reportedly pounded on the door saying “Wake up Etta; there’s a fire” and attempted to open the door without success. A second attempt to get into her apartment was also unsuccessful.

Upon arriving, firefighters twice tried to make it up the stairs to her apartment, but heat and smoke kept them from reaching the door.

Delbert Beals, owner of Beals’ Lunch, was sleeping at the restaurant at the time of the fire and said he “barely got out.”

Portland Fire Chief Ray “Bud” Williams said the fire spread quickly because there were no fire walls in the second story of the building. It apparently started in the rear of the restaurant and worked its way up the south wall to the second story.

Damage was estimated to be at least $100,000 (at least $671,000 in today’s dollars).