Medford, Ore. — Police are investigating whether or not another suspicious fire in downtown Medford is the work of a serial arsonist.
Medford firefighters responded to the house fire in an alleyway behind 5th and Ivy Street around 1:00 Monday afternoon. A neighbor called after she smelled smoke and saw flames coming out from underneath the stairwell behind the home.
Medford Fire Marshal Greg Kleinberg said the neighbor grabbed a garden hose and put the flames out before firefighters arrived.
“Her actions really prevented it from spreading up. You know it spreads up the wall and into the attic in some cases and once it gets into the attic it’s a really bad fire,” Kleinberg said.
The flames damaged some siding, grass, and a sewage pipe. No one was injured.
Cigarette butts littered the ground behind the home. Kleinberg said a lit cigarette could have caused the fire. However, the cause is still undetermined.
If this was the work of the arsonist that would bring the total number of intentionally set fires to 18 since late June.
Medford Fire wants to remind people to be aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood. If you see anything out of the ordinary call Medford Fire-Rescue or Medford Police Department.
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