Salem police arrested a teen they say set a lit sparkler into a Halloween decoration, causing a house fire in southeast Salem Friday.
Around 12:35 p.m. Friday, emergency responders were called to a house fire in the area of Southeast Wilbur and Cross streets, the Salem Police Department wrote in a statement Monday.
Brian Carrara, deputy chief of administrative services for the Salem Fire Department, said Friday the fire was under control as of 1:58 p.m.
The fire started on the porch “but then quickly engulfed a large portion of the home,” Salem police wrote in the statement.
Residents quickly evacuated the home and reported no injuries.
Salem police said one firefighter was receiving medical treatment for minor injuries suffered at the scene. After interviewing witnesses, Salem officers identified and arrested a 16-year-old, who was booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangering, according to the statement.
The department said it does not identify minors involved in criminal investigations. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under state law.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
