Fire investigators arrested Michael Eugene Lorenzo, age 31, for a series of dumpster fires in southeast Portland Wednesday night (June 9, 2010) and early Thursday morning (June 10, 2010).

The initial call came in just before midnight. Arriving crews found three dumpsters on fire at SE 16th Ave and SE Hawthorne St. In just over an hour, five more fires were found in the area.

Portland fire investigators and Portland Police officers quickly noticed the number of closely grouped fires occurring within a short period of time, and immediately began investigating. A neighborhood witness saw two fires being set and provided investigators with a description of the suspect.

Fire investigators spent the next day, June 10th, canvassing the neighborhood and gathering information.

Lorenzo was taken into custody later that evening by fire investigators, assisted by Portland Police officers. The suspect has been charged with five counts of reckless burning and two counts of arson in the second degree. If convicted, the suspect could receive 15 years in jail. The suspect will be arraigned at Multnomah County Courthouse at 1:30 on June 11, 2010.

Luckily there were no injuries reported and damages were kept minimal. Fire investigators state that there is no apparent link to the recent series of car fires.

Having the crime being witnessed has been a help to Portland Fire & Rescue with their investigation and we encourage citizens to be alert for suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. You never know when you may see something that may lead to the arrest of a person engaged in criminal activity. Investigators invite anyone with pertinent information to call the Arson Hot-line at (503)823-3791.

  Portland Fire & Rescue We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  June 11, 2010