Fire spreads from former homeless camp, rips through NE Portland building
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A suspect accused of arson was arrested Wednesday after a fire ripped through a Northeast Portland building in the early morning, authorities said.
Homicide victim’s family ‘searching for answers’ after ‘senseless’ shooting
Portland Fire and Rescue initially reported that the fire started outside at a former homeless camp near Northeast 28th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard and spread to a nearby building. However, as the investigation unfolded throughout the day, PF&R identified a total of four fires lit within a short window of time. They were all allegedly set by Jon Martin, who has been arrested.
Wednesday also saw the arrest of another suspected arsonist, Kayla Schumacher, who was accused of starting several small fires in a completely separate incident at an occupied apartment near Southeast 80th Ave between East Burnside and Southeast Stark Street on May 30, officials said. A spokesperson with PF&R confirmed that the two arson suspect arrests coincidentally happened on the same day but were otherwise “completely unrelated.”
Portland ranks among top 20 US cities for traffic congestion, study finds
While Schumacher was being interviewed, other fire crews were dispatched to investigate the unrelated fires that had developed earlier in the day near 814 NE 28th Ave. The fires occurred between 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Of the four fires that were set overnight, the first was “an intentional fire started on the exterior of a houseless camp where the occupant was asleep inside,” officials said. The second fire was set at a recycling bin across the street. The third fire was to the commercial building at 2808 Ne Sandy Blvd. And finally, the fourth fire was set at the same homeless camp as the first fire, only this time the flames extended to the commercial building at 814 Ne 28th Ave, destroying it completely.
How to make great sourdough? Use beer brewing science
Investigators eventually found and identified a suspect, Jon Martin, at “another houseless camp nearby.” He was arrested by Portland police and charged with three counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, one count of attempted second-degree arson and reckless burning.
“It’s a relief that someone actually got caught. That’s progress,” said Annamarie Cosio, owner of the nearby Tight Tacos.
The building near Northeast Sandy Boulevard was empty at the time of the fire, officials said. However, business owners in the area said they’re on alert and in constant fear something like this may happen to them.
“With break-ins with the homelessness with a lot of crowding and a lot theft happening, everyone is always on edge,” Cosio said. “A lot of businesses here are putting up their own gates, setting up their own alarm systems […] We are taking extra measures to make it more livable and accessible and workable for everyone.”
The alleged motives of Martin and Schumacher are unknown in their respective cases, officials said.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
