Madras law office fire was arson, police chief says
A fire that heavily damaged a downtown Madras law office Saturday evening has been determined to be arson, Police Chief Tanner Stanfill said Wednesday as investigators asked to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area.
Stanfill said Madras police have brought in an Oregon State Police arson investigator to assist in the efforts to find whoever started the fire, reported around 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the offices of Glenn, Reeder & Gassner LLP, at the intersection of Southeast Fifth and D streets.
Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the first floor of a two-story business on the east side of the building, fire Capt. Kasey Skaar said.
There were no injuries and the fire was confined to the law office, which Stanfill said “lost a lot of property.” The fire did not reach the second floor, where records are stored, but there was smoke and water damage throughout the building.
“We’re interested if anyone had seen any suspicious activity in the area” on Saturday, Stanfill said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Madras police Officer Josh Roth at 541-475-2424.
A recorded message on the law firm’s phone number indicated they are in the process of rebuilding and relocating to a new location.
Timothy Gassner, the managing partner of Madras’ oldest law firm, told the Madras Pioneer that thanks to the work of fire crews, they were able to get some computers out and save some important electronic records.
The other partners in the firm, which dates back to 1934, are David Glenn and Donald Reeder.
