Authorities have apprehended a suspect accused of arson after a devastating fire engulfed a building in Northeast Portland in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Portland Fire and Rescue (PF&R) initially reported that the fire originated from a former homeless camp near Northeast 28th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, eventually spreading to a nearby building. However, as the investigation progressed, PF&R discovered a total of four fires ignited within a short time frame, all allegedly set by the arrested suspect, Jon Martin.
Coincidentally, Wednesday also witnessed the arrest of another suspected arsonist, Kayla Schumacher, in a completely unrelated incident. Schumacher was accused of starting multiple small fires at an occupied apartment near Southeast 80th Ave between East Burnside and Southeast Stark Street on May 30. PF&R emphasized that the two arrests occurred on the same day but were completely unrelated.
While Schumacher was being interviewed, fire crews were dispatched to investigate the unrelated fires that had erupted earlier near 814 NE 28th Ave. The fires occurred between 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. PF&R confirmed that Martin, the suspect in the NE Portland building fire, was apprehended at another homeless camp nearby. The motives behind Martin and Schumacher’s alleged arson incidents remain unknown at this time, according to officials.
Among the four fires set overnight, the first was intentionally started on the exterior of a houseless camp while the occupant was asleep inside, officials revealed. The second fire was ignited at a recycling bin across the street, followed by a third fire that engulfed a commercial building at 2808 NE Sandy Blvd. Finally, the fourth fire was set at the same homeless camp as the first, with the flames extending to destroy the commercial building at 814 NE 28th Ave completely.
Jon Martin has been arrested by Portland police and faces multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, one count of attempted second-degree arson, and reckless burning. Authorities confirmed that the building near Northeast Sandy Boulevard was unoccupied when the fire occurred.
The local business owners in the area expressed their concerns and heightened vigilance following the incident. The occurrence has left them on edge, fearing that a similar tragedy could befall their establishments.
