PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland arson investigators arrested one man for a string of fires in Northeast Portland Wednesday and said during their investigation, they saved a sleeping family.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews were checking out four suspicious car fires around NE 148th and NE Glisan.
Two other car fires were reported in the area over the past few days. While driving down NE 148th Avenue around midnight, investigators said they smelled burning paper before coming upon a carport in flames. Investigators think the fire started in a recycle bin.
As the fire quickly spread up the walls and ceiling of the structure approaching the house, fire crews were able to awaken the family inside and get them out safely.
Investigators with a K-9 soon tracked down and arrested 18-year-old Bobby Lee Alsup for arson and reckless endangerment.
Investigators think he may be responsible for a total of 13 fires.
These fire investigators used one of their most basic senses to save this family from a potentially dangerous fire, spokesman Paul Corah said.
