Suspect arrested on arson charges in string of fires set along Interstate 5 in Lane County
(Update: Suspect formally charged, arraigned, adding name)
EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A man was arrested on arson, reckless burning and other charges Saturday, accused of starting a string of fires along Interstate 5 in the Goshen area south of Eugene, Lane County sheriff’s deputies said.
Dispatchers received a report of a man starting fires along the freeway around 1 p.m. Saturday. Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers responded and quickly arrested the 52-year-old suspect.
Deputies said the man, Michael David Brown, 51, was actively lighting a fire on the shoulder of Franklin Boulevard when contacted, and resisted arrest.
Several fire departments responded as deputies and troopers began evacuating area residents. Deputies said the fires were brought under control before larger evacuations were necessary.
Brown was booked into the Lane County Jail on five counts each of first-degree arson, reckless burning and reckless endangering, as well as single counts of second-degree disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Investigating deputies also determined Brown had set a fire on August 26th on Franklin Boulevard at Seavey Loop Road. He faces another first-degree arson charge related to that fire.
Court records show Brown was arraigned Monday on two counts of first-degree arson, Class A felonies, and a pre-trial conference was set for October 16.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office thanked Oregon State Police and the multiple fire departments who responded to assist.
