Arsonist(s) Sought in Capitol Mall Fires

Approximately 50 people were reportedly in the Capitol Mall area around the time the fires were reported.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore. ) - An Oregon State Police arson investigator has confirmed Sunday afternoon's fire that destroyed a portable restroom and damaged an underground parking stair access structure on the north end of the Capitol Mall grounds near the Labor & Industries Building was intentionally set.

A second fire scene was also identified at a second portable restroom on the mall grounds about one-tenth of a mile south of the first scene. People in the area of the second fire scene quickly reported it, allowing fire personnel to arrive and put it out before it spread.

On Sunday at approximately 2:50 PM, a report was received of a portable restroom on fire at the north end of the Capitol Mall. Salem Fire Department personnel responded to the fire, but the portable restroom was completely destroyed. A second fire to a portable restroom located in front of the State Library Building was reported about 3:35 PM and fire personnel were able to extinguish the fire before any major damage.

An OSP arson detective investigating the fires confirmed both were intentionally set inside the portable restrooms. The first fire also caused some damage to a stair access area for an underground parking structure.

According to Department of Administrative Services, initial damage estimate is approximately $15,000 to the stair access area.

Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, no information will be released about how the fires started.

Approximately 50 people were reportedly in the Capitol Mall area around the time the fires were reported. Anyone with information regarding these fires is asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888.

Source: Oregon State Police