Police Charge Three Juveniles With Arson

Charges against the young suspects include second-degree Arson, second-degree Burglary, Reckless Burning and second-degree Trespass.

Property at 3266 Orchard Heights Road NW in Salem before fire, courtesy: Google Earth.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Three West Salem juveniles face charges in connection with an arson fire Sunday that resulted in no injuries, but did lead to the loss of a turn of the century area home.

Sgt. Mark Garton with the Polk County Sheriff's Office says his agency, along with Salem's Police and the Salem Fire department, responded to the house fire Sunday afternoon, at 3266 Orchard Heights Road NW in Salem.

The fire reportedly consumed the house and burnt to the ground, making it a total loss, Garton said.

"This house was not inhabited and has not been for some time."

He says the house was reported to have been built in the early 1900's.

Garton adds that Orchard Heights Road NW was shut down in front of this location for a short period of time while the fire crews worked the on the scene.

"The Polk County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident as a suspicious fire and subsequent interviews led to charges being filed against two 13-year old juveniles and one 12-year old juvenile, all residents of Northwest Salem."

The charges include second-degree Arson, second-degree Burglary, Reckless Burning and second-degree Trespass.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is still investigating this incident.