Firefighters finish extinguishing the fire around Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos' vehicle at her home in the Mill Park neighborhood of Portland, Ore., on Oct. 26, 2025.
Courtesy of Dennis Weis via Portland Fire & Rescue
Portland Fire and Rescue are investigating a potential arson at the home of City Councilor Candace Avalos, which authorities have called “suspicious in nature.”
Police say they responded to calls of a fire around 2:40 a.m. Sunday morning, and found several vehicles and a carport in flames.
The cause of the fire is so far unknown.
Pictures released by the Portland Police Bureau show the scorched remains of multiple vehicles and a car port.
Avalos said in a statement on her Instagram account Sunday that she was able to escape safely. She also said arson might have been the cause of the fire.
“Late last night, I woke up to my car, car port and home engulfed in flames,” Avalos said. “I was able to get out safely with my cat Valentino.”
Firefighters respond to a fire at Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos' home in the Mill Park neighborhood of Portland, Ore., on Oct. 26, 2025.
Courtesy of Dennis Weis via Portland Fire & Rescue
This is not the first instance of a possible arson involving a Portland city council member. A car belonging to former city commissioner Rene Gonzalez was set on fire outside his home in January 2024.
Gonzalez later threatened to sue the city over what he said was a subpar arson investigation.
This story is developing and may be updated.
