Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The demolition of the Centennial Mills warehouse in Northwest Portland drew crowds and lots of cheering on Monday afternoon. (8/17)

The city says contractors began demolition close to 2:30 p.m. by using controlled explosions to take down the water tower.

Right before the detonation, Portland Fire & Rescue apparatuses on scene sounded a 10-second audible alert.

Residents also got a text notification one hour before the explosions shook the neighborhood.

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