11-Year-Old Oregon Boy Accused of Starting Series of Arson Fires
A Washington County Sheriff's Detective discovered the July 27 fire was intentionally set in a recycling area and quickly spread to the carport.
(BEAVERTON, Ore. ) — Washington County Sheriff's Detectives arrested a young boy accused of causing significant arson damage, and is also believed to have started several other fires in the area.
On July 27, sheriff's deputies responded to assist Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue with an apartment carport fire.
Deputies met with the TVF&R Fire Marshal at the Canyon Park Apartments at 4200 SW 107th Avenue in the community of Beaverton.
Deputies found a carport fully engulfed in fire with five vehicles completely burned and 10 others damaged from the intense heat.
The vehicle and carport loss damage is estimated to be over $200,000. Fortunately, there were no injuries from this fire.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office has a detective that specializes in investigations involving arson and explosions.
The sheriff's detective discovered the July 27 fire was intentionally set in a recycling area and quickly spread to the carport. During the investigation, the detective discovered there had been two previously unreported fires.
The first unreported fire occurred on July 14 where paper was ignited under an exterior gas meter. That fire was quickly extinguished with minor damage.
The second unreported fire took place in 2013 in a recycling bin close to a carport area. That fire was also quickly extinguished with minor damage.
After the large July 27 fire, there were two additional unreported fires in the apartment complex.
Between August 1 and 10, there was an intentional fire in a bush and another in a bark dust area by some trees.
The Sheriff's Office became increasingly concerned with the suspect's behavior as the fires continued to be intentionally set in areas that potentially placed many people in danger.
In late August, the sheriff's detective identified an 11-year-old boy as the person suspected of starting all of the fires.
The boy lives in the apartment complex in close proximity to the fires.
On August 26, the boy was arrested and transferred to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility where he is currently held pending trial.
He has been charged with three counts of First Degree Arson, Attempted First Degree Arson, Second Degree Arson and First Degree Criminal Mischief.
Source: Washington County Sheriff's Office
