A March 12 fire at a Northeast Portland auto scrapyard that caused mandatory overnight evacuations in the Cully neighborhood was caused either on purpose or by discarded cigarettes, Portland Fire & Rescue officials say.
Investigators found evidence of homeless camps near the scrapyard NW Metals, but no evidence of camping on the property, given that there was no evidence of "candle use or warming fires."
One of the scrapyard owners, Moyata Anotta, had told KOIN-TV that the business had experienced problems with homeless people in the past.
Anotta had also said he suspected the blaze was intentional, according to a report by KATU-TV. Investigators didn't rule that out.