Arsonist Sets Car and House Ablaze With Residents Sleeping Inside

Anyone with information on the fire should call the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Salem-News.com

(ALOHA, Ore.) - Firefighters and Sheriff's Deputies responded to SW Vienna Drive early Friday morning, over a reported vehicle on fire in a driveway. It was reported that the fire also caught the garage of the house on fire.

Sgt. Bob Ray with the Washington County Sheriff's Office says the fire appears to be intentionally started. "The suspect or suspects had already fled the scene," he stated.

Crews were called to the scene just minutes before 5:00 AM. Ray says deputies found a 1999 Mitsubishi car that was parked in the driveway was fully engulfed in flames.

"The car was parked in the driveway of the residence and the flames caught the house on fire. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrived and extinguished the fire."

Ray says that due to the suspicious nature of the fire, additional Sheriff's deputies responded while an in-depth interview of the victims was conducted.

"The initial investigation revealed the victims were asleep inside the house when they heard an unusual sound."

He says they told investigators that shortly after hearing the sound, the cars alarm was activated.

"The victims said they went to the window and discovered the car was on fire. They immediately called 911 and reported the incident."

A TVF&R arson investigator responded to the suspicious fire, and told the investigating deputies it appeared the fire was intentionally set with some sort of incendiary device. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

No one was injured in the fire. The Washington County Sheriff's Detectives and Deputies are working earnestly Ray said, exhausting all investigative leads to bring this case to a close.

If anyone has any information about this case they are encouraged to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-629-0111.