NE 82nd Avenue arson fire suspect arrested

At last! Three months after a massive outer East Portland grass fire singed Montavilla businesses and homes, officials have arrested a man for arson …

-1 The smoke is thick as firefighters battle an urban wildfire blaze in outer East Portland that officials say was “intentionally set”. East Portland News archive image

Story and photo by David F. Ashton

On August 26, a strong east wind whipped an intentionally-set fire, at an abandoned golf driving range across from Madison High School, into an inferno that destroyed a boxing gym, damaged The Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park, damaged several town homes – and set 50 vehicles ablaze.

>> To read our coverage of this story: CLICK HERE.

This aerial image shows the widespread damage done by the fire. PF&R image

Even as firefighters were cooling the remaining embers the next day, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) officials said that they suspected that this fire – which reportedly caused $2 million in damages – was the work of an arsonist.

Now, three months after the fire on November 26, PF&R officials staged an early morning press conference at their downtown main station to announce that, with the help of the Portland Police Bureau, a suspect had been arrested.

Officials gather at a press conference to discuss the incident. Courtesy of KOIN-6 News

It was revealed that security camera images, and the report of a witness, spotted the suspect at the time of the fire, and helped investigators find him. They also link him to dumpster fires in September.

According to PF&R officials, 39-year-old Allen Michael Singerhouse was interviewed at his home – and at that time he confessed to setting multiple fires in the Northeast Portland area.

Facing Felony Arson charges is 39-year-old Allen Michael Singerhouse. MCDC booking photo

It’s unknown why officials delayed information about the arrest of Singerhouse for five days – nevertheless, he was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on November 21 at 2:29 p.m., on multiple arson charges.

At his arraignment, Singerhouse learned he’d face five (5) charges of Arson in the First Degree (a Class A Felony), and two charges of Arson in the Second Degree (a Class C Felony).

While Singerhouse is scheduled to again appear before a Multnomah County District Court judge on December, 3, he’s currently lodged in Inverness Jail, in lieu of $1,260,000 combined bail.

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