Portland Fire Investigators Arrest Suspects in Two Arson Cases

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Portland Fire Investigators have made arrests in two separate cases. On August 12, 2009, a fire occurred in a duplex at 735 SE 155th Avenue. The fire eventually spread from the south duplex unit to the north duplex unit, threatening a family who lived there.

On November 16, 2010, Gabriela Washington was indicted by a grand jury after investigators concluded that she intentionally set the fire in the duplex unit she was living in. Washington turned herself in to authorities on January 21, 2011, and was charged with two counts of Arson I, a Measure 11 crime. Washington is currently in jail pending trial and her bail has been set at $500,000.

"Each count of Arson I, a felony offense, carries a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to 20 years in jail," said Public Information Officer Paul Corah. "Arson I can become a Measure 11 crime in cases where there is a threat of serious physical injury to an individual. This was the case for the family living in the duplex unit next to Ms. Washington."

In a second case, a fire occurred at 225 NW Couch, #250 at 4:08 am on January 22, 2011. Firefighters responded to the apartment building and extinguished the fire, which was contained to the unit of origin. Reports indicate that residents of the apartment building saw smoke, pulled the occupant from his apartment, and attempted to extinguish the fire prior to fire crews' arrival. A resident was transported to a local hospital for fire-related injuries.

Upon release from the hospital, Fire Investigators arrested Donya Mallory and charged him with one count of Arson I. Investigators believe that Mallory intentionally set combustibles in the apartment on fire. Mallory is currently in police custody awaiting a grand jury hearing next week. Bail is set at $50,000.


Author:Portland Fire & Rescue News Release