PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An abandoned house went up in flames for the second time in the last few months and investigators believe it may have been intentionally set on fire.
No one was hurt in the fire, but neighbors in Beaverton want something to be done about the nuisance house on SW Nora Road. The decrepit, graffiti covered house has parents worried about what their kids might see as they pass by, and now even authorities are fed up.
“We’ve had a lot of calls at this particular home,” Deputy Shannon Wilde with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said. “Trespassers, squatters, juveniles coming in breaking windows, graffiti — things like that. Obviously the neighbors around are frustrated with the conditions of the house.”
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue are investigating the fire, which happened around 11:50 a.m. A fire was put out at the same house over the summer, and while they aren’t related, investigators wonder if they were started by homeless vagrants or troubled teens.
“The fire was human caused,” Wilde said. “We’re not sure if it was intentionally set or not.”
The house is vacant but deputies say the homeowner is not helping remedy the situation.
“He wants to hold on it to even though it’s abandoned and covered in graffiti,” Wilde said. “That’s his choice, I guess.”
Deputies hope if the owner doesn’t revive the house, the county can enforce codes.
“The county does have some options with what they call ‘zombie houses’ and whatnot,” Wilde said. “We can look at these chronic problem houses and fining these owners of these types of houses for the police response.”
Authorities are also hoping the public can help identify the person who set the fire. If you have any information, contact the sheriff’s office at 503.629.0111.