PORTLAND, Ore. — An arson investigation is underway after three Portland Public Schools (PPS) vehicles were found on fire at the school district's administration building early Saturday morning.
Portland police said firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the administration building at 501 N. Dixon St. at 3:15 a.m. There, they found three PPS vehicles - two cargo vans and a box truck - had been set on fire.
A Portland Fire & Rescue crew put out the vehicle fires and fire investigators were called to the scene.
It appears at least one person entered a fenced area on the school district's property, started the fires and vandalized the building, police said, adding that no one was injured.
No arrests have been made.
“The person or persons responsible for setting these fires pose a significant and immediate risk to public safety," said Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt. "These were violent acts that put property and life in danger. The risk to the firefighters and police officers who responded cannot be understated; these fires could have resulted in explosions, injuries or death. My office is committed to working with law enforcement to identify anyone with ties to these crimes and to then prosecute."
Schmidt's office is asking neighbors who live near the PPS building to check their surveillance cameras and look for any suspicious activity that could help the investigation.
Anyone who has information about this case is asked to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-3408.
