Suspect in Southeast Portland apartment fire charged with arson
Updated Dec 24, 2020;
A Southeast Portland man accused of lighting a fire in his apartment early Wednesday has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson, after police say he set the blaze, then held a knife to some neighbors who asked him about the fire.
Police arrested Gary Hickey, 40, whom they believe left without calling 911 or alerting anyone. The fire quickly grew, engulfing the apartment and filling the building with smoke. It also caused two children in a nearby apartment unit, along with their dog and cat, to have to jump from a second-story window to escape the blaze.
Family safely jumps from second floor SE Portland apartment to escape fire
PORTLAND, Oregon (KPTV) A man, his two children and two pets were unharmed when they had to escape a fire at their southeast Portland apartment early Wednesday morning.
Portland Fire & Rescue said crews responded to a reported fire at the Alder Royal Apartments, located in the 16100 block of Southeast Alder Street, around 2:40 a.m.
At the scene, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from a second story unit.
A 2nd alarm was called, and PF&R said crews rescued several occupants from the building.
According to PF&R, a man was forced to help his two kids and cat and dog jump from a second story balcony to escape the fire.
Fire officials said one adult jumped from a balcony with two kids, a cat and a dog. Author: KGW Staff Updated: 10:28 AM PST December 23, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. A man was arrested for arson after police said he set his Southeast Portland apartment on fire early Wednesday morning and left without telling anyone.
The fire forced residents to flee the building, including one family who jumped from a second-story balcony to escape.
Residents said the fire started around 2 a.m.
According to a Portland Police Bureau (PPB) spokeswoman, witnesses followed the suspect to a nearby 7-Eleven after the fire started and pointed him out to officers, who took the man into custody.
Man lit fire in SE Portland apartment and left, police say; 2 kids jump from balcony to escape
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
Posted Dec 23, 2020
Police say a man lit a fire in his Southeast Portland apartment and left. Two kids jumped from their second-story balcony to escape, according to fire officials.Greg Muhr/Portland Fire & Rescue
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A Southeast Portland man lit a fire in his apartment early Wednesday and left without alerting anyone or calling 911, police said. The fire quickly grew, engulfing the apartment and filling the building with smoke.
No one was injured in the ensuing blaze, which was largely contained to the unit where it started.