Two arrested in gasoline-fueled arson fire at SE Bend transient camp
(Update: Two arrests, details from police)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A dispute over a drug debt led to an arson fire at a southeast Bend transient camp Sunday evening in which gasoline allegedly was poured and ignited, and to the subsequent arrest of a man and woman who fled the scene, police reported Monday.
Shortly after 6 p.m., police were called to assist Bend Fire & Rescue on a blaze in an undeveloped area east of Southeast 15th Street and Lostine Circle, Sgt. R.C. Bigelow said. Several callers reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke in the area.
Officers found the alleged victim, the occupant of a camp where the fire started, Bigelow said.
The 44-year-old man told officers a man and woman, both 37, came to his camp regarding an earlier dispute over a drug debt. The victim said the woman poured gasoline around his camp, then lit it, sparking a fire that quickly spread to the adjacent undeveloped area, Bigelow said.
Bend firefighters extinguished the blaze before it could spread to nearby residential areas, Bigelow said. The equipment used to fight the blaze caused a two-hour closure of 15th Street between Wilson Avenue and Reed Market Road.
Officers investigating the suspected arson found the man near a camp he’s associated with, near Southeast Third Street and Brosterhous Road, Bigelow said. He ran, prompting a chase on foot. Several witnesses helped police officer find the man.
Bend Police K-9 Vegas and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Ronin and their respective handlers also responded to help find the man, who was located in the area of Southwest Hayes Avenue. Bigelow said the man resisted arrest and less-lethal OC spray was used. He then complied with commands when confronted by K-9 Vegas.
Bend firefighter-medics gave the man medical attention for the OC application. He was then taken to St. Charles Bend and later to the Deschutes County Jail on conspiracy charges involving first-degree arson, reckless endangering, reckless burning and first degree criminal mischief, along with charges of third-degree escape, resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer.
The woman was located near Southeast Brosterhous Road and Clay Pigeon Court. She also was given medical care by Bend firefighters and taken to the hospital for injuries received before her arrest, then booked into the county jail on charges of first-degree arson, reckless endangering, reckless burning and first-degree criminal mischief.
Bigelow said police were assisted by the sheriff’s office, 911 dispatchers and several citizens. Police also thanked “citizens who were affected by the road closure and who were very gracious and understanding about the closure.”
It was the second fire in the same area in five days, as a half-acre fire last Wednesday evening – found to be human-caused – prompted alerts to three nearby homes and also closed 15th Street for a time due to firefighting efforts.
