Oregon City police arrested 28-year-old transient Keil Jess Rothlisberger on charges of arson and burglary after a garage fire in the early morning hours of July 28 along the 15700 block of Washington Street, near High Rocks Park on the Clackamas River.
Clackamas Fire spokesperson Tammy Owen said no one was injured in the fire, but damages to the structure were estimated in excess of $50,000.
"The firefighters were able to remove all of the valuable contents before they were damaged by smoke and fire," Owen said.
Clackamas firefighter Jamen Lahodny was captured on camera, in what citizens are calling a "poster worthy" photograph, moving the homeowner's motorcycle out of the garage away from the fire and smoke.
"The garage also contained another motorcycle and four extremely valuable classic cars along with auto memorabilia," Owen said.
Todd Given said his mother, the Washington Street homeowner, was asleep when the fire started. He thanked the community and firefighters for all their hard work and support.
"Clackamas Fire was on this so fast, even before the fire alarm woke my mom up," Given wrote in a Facebook post. "Cars need a little cleanup. Shop is gonna take a substantial amount of repair, as the fire got into the attic and torched all the structure."
In 2017, Rothlisberger was convicted of felony reckless endangerment and criminal mischief for intentionally damaging a vehicle and window at Olsen Bros towing in Oak Grove. He was sentenced at that time to 16 months in jail.
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