Man, woman arrested in separate Portland arson cases

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A man and a woman are facing arson charges in two separate incidents which included a porch fire in Southeast Portland and a fire-starting spree in Northeast Portland.

In the early minutes of Thursday, crews responded to a report of a house fire in the 2200 block of Southeast Salmon Street.

While they found a small fire on the front porch of the home, they soon learned one of the residents had woken up minutes earlier to find a large fire.

That resident used a fire extinguisher on the flames while another called 911. Officials added there were several people asleep inside the home at the time.

After crews put out the fire, PF&R investigators examined the scene and found the fire had been intentionally set using "an incendiary device containing an accelerant."

Arson investigators later arrested 42-year-old Eric D. Alexander on an outstanding warrant on charges including 5 counts of attempted murder, 4 counts of first-degree arson, two counts each of stalking, telephonic harassment, menacing plus one count of criminal mischief.

Officials say shortly after Alexander's arrest, reports came of a three fire serial arson spree in Northeast Portland.

After obtaining surveillance of a possible suspect - 37-year-old Crystle Knoke - PF&R and Portland police canvassed the area, soon finding Knoke near one of the fires.

After detaining Knoke, officials said they recognized her as being wanted in connection to another arson spree in October which happened along Northeast and Southeast 122nd Avenue.

She was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also charged with 4 counts of arson plus two counts of criminal mischief.

KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops.