Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Investigators have 'substantial lead' in Wilsonville apartment fire

Residents should not worry about more fires

• By: Michelle Te  
• Published: 11/4/2009 8:45:17 PM

Photo courtesy of Shayla Hart
Flames lept high above the roof in a stairwell at the Sundial Apartments Wednesday morning in Wilsonville.

Fire investigators are calling a Wilsonville apartment fire “suspicious in origin,” have possibly linked it to other fires set in the building, and want local residents to rest easy about more fires.

“We have a very substantial lead,” said Det. Jim Strovink, public information officer for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. “We are very encouraged, and we are vigorously pursuing this case using the expertise we have. But it’s still early on in the current investigation.

The sheriff’s office has teamed with arson investigators from both Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and the Oregon State Police to determine the cause of today’s fire. Three adults and two children, including one infant, were rescued from the third-floor of the Sundial Apartments just before 10 a.m.

Flames cascaded from the upper stairwell, as family members congregated on the balcony, handing the children over to rescuers, before descending the 24-foot rescue ladder themselves.

Immediately after the rescue, police began to question the victims, which included a family of three, and a family of two.

“This has been an ongoing investigation,” Strovink said. “There have been three previous minor fires. One was extinguished with a fire extinguisher.”

Each of the fires occurred in nearly the same location.

“Our investigators have been talking and canvassing the complex to find potential witnesses,” he said. “What’s most important, is that we are very encouraged and aware that this investigation is centered at this location. It’s very concentrated to this stairwell.”

Portland police assisted the investigation with a K-9 unit trained to detect fire accelerants. Strovink said he did not know whether the dog was able to detect anything.

“We want to ensure the public that we don’t have a random fire bug running around starting fires,” said Strovink. “We are following some substantial leads, and that’s where we’re at.”

He would not confirm whether the sheriff’s office has determined any suspects.

Anyone with information regarding today’s fire should contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

Both families displaced by today’s fire will be staying with family or friends, added Strovink.

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