Authorities say a fire early Sunday in Hillsboro affected about 20 to 25 businesses in the community’s historic downtown.
Shortly after 3 a.m., Hillsboro firefighters responded to a commercial blaze inside the Weil Arcade building on East Main Street. Within half an hour, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue said the blaze had fully involved the structure.
Personnel from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Cornelius Fire, Forest Grove Fire, Portland Fire and Rescue, and Washington County Police all responded to assist. Firefighters were working to prevent any extension for several hours.
At the firefighting effort’s peak, about 90 firefighters were on the scene.
“Crews will be on site overnight and part of tomorrow to mop up hot spots and rekindle fires,” Hillsboro Fire and Rescue said via Twitter late Sunday. Main Street was closed between Second and Fourth avenues as crews continued to extinguish hot spots and assess damage.