Bend Walmart worker accused of setting 2 fires in store

A 19-year-old La Pine employee of the Bend Walmart was arrested on arson and other charges Monday night, accused of using a pocket lighter to set two small fires in different areas of the store, police said.

Police responded at 9:36 p.m. to the reported fires in the Walmart at 20120 Pinebrook Boulevard, said Lt. Clint Burleigh. The fires had been extinguished by other store employees before officers or firefighters arrived.

A police and fire investigation found the fires to be suspicious in nature, as they were located in two areas of the store, one “where the public frequently shops,” Burleigh said in a news release.

Firefighters reported light smoke in some areas of the store after the fires were put out. Damage was limited to the items ignited and the immediate area next to them, Burleigh said. He added that there were no injuries and the store stayed open during the investigation.

Police and fire investigators determined that Travis William Kyle, an employee, had started the fires with a pocket lighter, Burleigh said.

Kyle was arrested and remained lodged Wednesday at the Deschutes County Jail, held on $50,000 bail and facing three counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree criminal mischief.

Burleigh credited the quick actions of Walmart employees for keeping damage minor and preventing injuries.