Man arrested after admitting he used Molotov cocktail to start brush fire in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A man is facing charges after Portland police say he used a Molotov cocktail to ignite a brush fire along Interstate 205 near East Burnside Street Sunday.

Officers responded to a reported brush fire in the 9600 block of East Burnside Street shortly after 4:30 p.m. In the area, they found a section of grass along the I-205 freeway was burning.

Firefighters extinguished the flames.

About an hour later, a witness contacted officers and pointed out the suspect accused of starting the fire; he was in a nearby tent. The suspect, 45-year-old Domingo Lopez, Jr., admitted he lit the fire using a plastic bottle with a wick and police arrested him.

Police said they seized the Molotov cocktail as evidence.

Lopez was booked in the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of reckless burning and second-degree disorderly conduct. He was released and arrested again Monday morning for allegedly starting six small more fires.

Police said they responded to a report of multiple fires burning along the west side of I-205 at around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Portland Fire and Rescue extinguished three of the fires and community members put out the other three. No one was injured and no structures were burned. Police said they found Lopez walking along the shoulder and arrested him. They seized a lighter as evidence.

Arson investigators will determine if other charges are warranted.

Police say Lopez was transported to a hospital on a police officer hold for a mental health evaluation. He was issued citations for six additional counts of reckless burning.