Fire Kills Customer At Adult Video Store -- Controversial Site Possible Arson Target

PORTLAND - A man who died in a fire at an adult video store apparently was overcome as he tried to get out of a viewing room, authorities said.

Jeffrey Damon McMahan, 25, died from smoke inhalation at Fantasy Adult Video store, said state Medical Examiner Dr. Larry Lewman.

The Monday night fire caused $350,000 in damage to the building and its contents.

"That location was the focus of a lot of neighborhood complaints and concerns," said police spokesman Derrick Foxworth.

"Investigators think there is some question that arson may be involved."

Neighbors were outraged when the 3,670-square-foot store opened nearly a year ago in what used to be a restaurant.

It offered 20 viewing booths, 2,000 adult videos, adult toys and magazines. The store's name was emblazoned outside on a 24-by-30-foot sign.

Owner Tracy Blakeslee, who operates a similar store in northeast Portland and two in Montana, said he will rebuild the store.

"I know we are controversial, but I can't believe anybody would hate us bad enough to burn us down. I can't imagine what kind of person would do that," he said.

"I have a nice middle-class clientele. It was a nice place where decent people could go - until last night."

One critic of the store said the fire solved nothing.

"He has insurance, he has a lot of money and if he wants to put it back there he will," said Portland artist Kyle Evans, 34, who once suggested store opponents videotape customers as they entered.

The first fire engine arrived four minutes after the fire started, but it already was too late, said Portland Fire Bureau spokesman Neil Heesacker.

"That thing was just cooking," he said.

"There was lots of heavy black smoke. When firefighters got there, there was no reports of people inside. When they were working inside later, they discovered the body."