Eugene (KMTR) – After a string of arson fires in west Eugene police have made an arrest.
Eugene officers say a trespasser was at the Eugene Faith Center on West 13th Avenue and arrested Monday night.
Two suspicious fires were discovered at the church Monday morning, following a fire on Saturday.
Police helped security officers at the church detain Mathew Wayne Rossi, 31, of Eugene. Police say he was found under a building on the church campus with rolled-up newspapers and several lighters. Police arrested Rossi on charges of first-degree arson, burglary and assault.
Investigators are trying to determine if he is connected with other fires in the area.
Three more suspicious fires broke out in west Eugene Monday night, separated by just a few blocks and a matter of minutes. The new fires follow five others over the last few days, including the ones at the Eugene Faith Center.
Monday evening a semi trailer loaded with cardboard was set on fire at West Broadway and McKinley Street just before 6:00 p.m. About 20 minutes later, a trash bin was found burning at the Wentworth car dealership on West 7th Place. Just before 8 o'clock, a third fire was discovered a recycling bin next to a home at 12th Avenue and Hayes Street.
