Crews clean up a pallet fire in August 2019. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Nearly a year after a pallet company in northeast Salem burned down, the Salem Police Department is asking for help finding the arsonist.
The department is offering a $2,500 reward through Crime Stoppers and the business’ insurance company is offering an additional $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person or people responsible for setting the blaze.
Oregon Pallet, a pallet manufacturer at 1650 Salem Industrial Dr. N.E., caught fire in the early hours of August 19, destroying more than 100,000 pallets.
Bryce Taylor, president of Oregon Pallet, said his company has rebounded from the loss which he estimates was a couple million dollars. He lost nearly a dozen tractors after they caught fire and the company had to repave the asphalt and replace light poles due to fire damage.
“The rebuild process took us about a year to where we’re not feeling the effects from the loss,” he said.
The Salem Fire Department and Salem police are investigating the fire.
Tips may be submitted on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling Salem police Detective Curt Abel at (503) 540-2461 or detective Jeff Gordon at (503) 540-2355.
Those reporting tips through Crime Stoppers of Oregon can remain anonymous but must contact Salem police directly to be eligible for the $10,000 reward.
A four alarm fire set a pallet business ablaze in August 2019. (Courtesy/Salem Fire Department)
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Have a story tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
