Man arrested in Portland arson fire that charred cars, homes
Nov. 26, 2019 at 8:57 am Updated Nov. 27, 2019 at 8:03 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting two fires in a Portland residential neighborhood in August that destroyed two commercial buildings, five homes and about 50 cars in a parking lot.
Authorities said Tuesday that 39-year-old Allen Michael Singerhouse also started two other significant blazes.
He was arrested Nov. 21 on charges of first- and second-degree arson.
Smoke from the Aug. 26 blaze could be seen for miles and it caused an estimated $2 million in damages. It also forced the evacuation of multiple homes.
Singerhouse's court-appointed attorney, Aubrey Hoffman, did not immediately return a call.
Officials say community tips, including surveillance video from a northeast Portland business, helped detectives identify Singerhouse as the suspect.
Court documents say Singerhouse told police he had started "dozens" of fires.