Sweet Home Police Department is investigating the fire that destroyed the shipping and receiving office at the former Willamette Industries Sweet Home Mill.
The building, located at 2210 Tamarack St., burned Dec. 29. Firefighters and police officers responded to a report of the fire at 10:14 p.m. No one was injured while battling the blaze.
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District Battalion Chief Randy Whitfield said the cause of the fire remains undetermined but was probably human-caused, likely by transients. The building was vacant and had no power, and the fire district turned the investigation over to the Police Department.
Officers responded to the location Monday in response a report by the fire district for a suspicious fire, said SHPD Det. Cyndi Pichardo. “During the investigation, evidence was located to indicate the fire had been started by a person.
“There was evidence found inside the building that one or more persons had been living in the vacant building.”
Evidence seized as part of the investigation indicate the possible identity of the suspect living there, Pichardo said.
Whether the fire was caused accidentally or deliberately remains undetermined, she said, but it appeared to be human-caused.
If accidental, the crime is reckless burning, Pichardo said, and if deliberate, the crime is arson.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the fire should contact Det. Keenan Martin at (541) 367-5181.