Police and prosecutors say a 39-year-old man has been arrested on charges of intentionally starting an Aug. 26 fire that destroyed two buildings and caused more than $2 million in damage.
Allan Michael Singerhouse is accused of setting two fires that began a fire at an abandoned, overgrown driving range near Northeast 85th Avenue and Siskiyou Street.
According to Multnomah County jail records, he's been charged with five counts of first-degree arson and two counts of second-degree arson. He's also suspected in dumpster fires near Concordia University's Columbia River campus and a Michaels Crafts store on Sept. 1.
Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper (left) and Portland Fire Chief Sara Boone (right) discuss the arrest of alleged arsonist Allen Michael Singerhouse at a press conference on Nov. 26, 2019.
Meerah Powell/OPB
"The financial cost of this fire is estimated at over $2 million without including the cost of city resources utilized and the inconvenience to the public," said Meredith Hopper, Portland Police Bureau detective with the fire investigation unit.
Investigators used surveillance video to identify a suspect and obtained a search warrant at Singerhouse's home. They say they found clothes that matched what the arsonist was wearing and multiple empty lighters, prosecutors said in court records.
"This prolific arsonist instilled fear throughout the public domain and threatened the welfare of communities across the city, with a devastating economic impact," said Portland Fire Chief Sara Boone.
Hopper said the investigation surrounding Singerhouse is still ongoing. She said investigators have not found a motive for Singerhouse's alleged actions.
