PORTLAND, Ore. — The Southeast Portland nonprofit Free Geek has closed its building temporarily after a fire caused damage over the weekend.
The fire started outside the nonprofit's receiving and recycling area near Southeast 10th Avenue and Southeast Market Street around 2 a.m. on Saturday, according to the nonprofit. Part of their donation center and their dumpsters were damaged, but no staff or volunteers were harmed.
In a post on their Facebook page Saturday morning, Free Geek said they're closing until the air quality in the building improves and they can make repairs to the donation center. As of Monday morning, a message published on their website says their building will be closed through Wednesday due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Portland Fire & Rescue told KGW that the fire didn't spread to the inside of the building, and they're investigating the cause.
Free Geek launched in 2000. The nonprofit refurbishes donated technology that would have been recycled or gone to a landfill, and gives them away for free or sells them at a low cost.
The nonprofit hopes to raise $25,000 to help with repairs, replacing damaged equipment and paying staff who are affected by the closure. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so online.
