Portland authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with a devastating fire at a historic church located in an area known to locals for its “heavy transient activity” with tents for the homeless lining the streets.
The suspect, assigned male at birth, indicated a traditional preferred name for females, though Portland officials could not immediately confirm if the individual identifies as transgender.
The fire was first reported around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Old Portland Korean Church, a three-story, 3,000-square-foot wooden church completed in 1905 that quickly escalated to three-alarm status and raised concerns. of major structural collapse if the bell tower were to fall onto elevated tram lines or a nearby house while crews poured water on the flames overnight.
The structure was scheduled for demolition on Thursday, but was initially delayed.
VIDEO SHOWS HISTORIC PORTLAND CHURCH ENGLISHED IN FLAMES; CRIME UNIT INVESTIGATING CAUSE
The Portland Fire Investigations and Fire Rescue Unit, comprised of the Portland Police Bureau and the Portland Fire and Rescue Department, took Cameron David Storer, aka Nicolette Fait, into custody Wednesday afternoon. The 27-year-old is charged with first and second degree arson and second degree robbery.
Firefighters use hoses on a massive fire at Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/ Portland Fire and Rescue)
“I cannot confirm that the person identifies as transgender,” Portland Fire public information officer Rick Graves said in response to questions from Fox News Digital. “The suspect was booked and arrested under his first name, which is traditionally a name given to people who are born male at birth.”
Flames tear through Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/ Portland Fire and Rescue)
“During questioning, the suspect indicated that he preferred to be called by a name that appears to be one assigned to someone who is female at birth,” Graves added by email. “Through discussion with our Fire Investigations Unit, there was no visual indication of the suspect’s femininity, and it was not until the suspect mentioned the preferred name that any AKA came into play. We do not have the ability to release any photos as it is prohibited by law.”
Portland firefighters use a crane to pour water at the Old Portland Korean Church.
(Greg Mur/ Portland Fire and Rescue)
The historic church had already been deemed unsafe in September 2020 due to previous fire activity that left extensive damage to the flooring. All lower-level entry points, including doors and windows, were boarded up to prevent unwanted entry, and the church was checked regularly by both the owner and a fire safety specialist, Graves said.
The last inspection happened on Friday. The church was not in use at the time the fire broke out. The suspect was expected to appear in court on Thursday afternoon, KOIN reported.
View from the first engine that arrived at the scene of the fire.
(Portland Fire and Rescue)
About 80 firefighters responded Tuesday through Wednesday to control the fire.
FOX 12 Oregon reported that the church is owned by Hadi Nouredine, a Beaverton dentist, who was not immediately available for comment at his office about the fire.
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Brandon Flohr, who works at a nearby restaurant, told FOX 12 that the area around the church is known for “a lot of transient activity.”
“You couldn’t even walk down the street because of the tents,” he said.
