FBI offers $5,000 reward in arson
By Rachel Beck, Lebanon Express writer
Motive behind fire at Pregnancy Alternatives Center still unknown
The FBI's Portland Division is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the arson fire that damaged Lebanon's Pregnancy Alternatives Center, the agency announced Sept. 18.
Investigators have concluded that the fire that damaged the Pregnancy Alternatives Center building at 136 W. Vine St. the morning of Sept. 10 was caused by arson.
Investigators do not know the motive for the fire. According to a press release from the FBI, investigators "are looking at all possibilities, including whether the arsonist(s) set the fire because they falsely believed the clinic provides abortion services; or because they knew the clinic counsels against abortions; or some other as yet undetermined reason."
The FBI has concurrent jurisdiction to investigate the case with local authorities under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
Anyone with information about the fire, including observations of anything or anyone suspicious in the area between late evening Sept. 9 and early morning Sept. 10, is asked to contact Sgt. Kevin Martinez at 258-4305 or Detective Dustin Wyatt at 258-4319; the FBI in Eugene at 541-343-5222 during normal business hours; or the Portland FBI office at 503-224-4181, 24 hours a day.
Crews from the Lebanon Fire District (LFD) responded at 5:52 a.m. to a 911 call about a structure fire at the location. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke and flames showing from the roof and a window.
The building, which was unoccupied at the time, received heavy damage to the front entrance and attic, with less extensive damage throughout.
A second alarm brought assistance from the Albany, Sweet Home, Brownsville and Scio departments. A total of 16 fire trucks and 29 personnel from Lebanon, Albany and Sweet Home responded to the scene, with Brownsville and Scio covering the LFD area during the incident.
The fire initially was labeled “suspicious.” According to a press release from the Lebanon Police Department (LPD), the fact that the facility is a women's health clinic prompted the Lebanon police and fire departments to mutually request assistance from the Oregon State Police, the Oregon State Fire Marshall,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
“We are in charge of the criminal investigation based on the fact that we have determined clearly that it is an arson,” said LPD Capt. Mike Schulte. Other agencies continue to assist, but mostly on an as-needed basis, Schulte said.
“Pretty much they have done their deed for us, which was a great asset to have,” he said.
Schulte declined to comment on how or where the fire may have started. Asked if there was evidence of a break-in, he replied, “We are looking at that possibility just because of what we are seeing at the scene and the way the fires were started.”
The Center has been at the location for 19 years. Services offered by the non-profit agency include pregnancy tests, counseling, prenatal education and baby and maternal clothing, all free of charge. The Christian organization opposes abortion and does not perform them, nor does it refer clients to abortion providers.
Representatives from the Center could not be reached for comment by press time.
One firefighter was injured during firefighting operations when he tripped over a hose. He was transported to Lebanon Community Hospital with a leg injury and was released later the same day.
The building and the area of Second Street surrounding the scene was blocked off Sept. 10 until about 7 p.m., due to the fire and emergency vehicles at the site, Schulte said.
In the afternoon, investigators called the LFD for a rekindle.
“That was a pile of papers that had some trapped embers in it that started smoldering,” said LFD Chief Dan Woodson, adding that the department extinguished the smoke with “about a gallon of water.”
Arson is a felony charge, Schulte said, plus “there's the potential that this thing could still go federal.”
Schulte could not think of any arson investigations of this magnitude the LPD has conducted in recent years. He doesn't expect this case to wrap up any time soon.
“This is going to be a long and extensive investigation,” he said.
This article was updated on Sept. 18