NEWBERG, Ore. — The Newberg-Dundee Police Department announced it has arrested two juveniles in connection with the June 29 Villa Road Historic Trestle fire.
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According to a public incident report obtained by Newsberg from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, firefighters received a call about the burning bridge at 2:54 a.m. and arrived on scene at 3:02 a.m. Crews determined the fire started on the trestle and spread to the brush below. By 3:45 a.m., the fire was under control, and mop-up operations began.
Fire crews found suspicious items at the site, including a burned-out microwave beneath the trestle, a lightly burned water bottle at the top, and green branches piled at the base. The report listed the cause as undetermined and referred the case to police to investigate whether the fire had been intentionally set.
In a press release, NDPD said officers learned through tips and investigation that a nearby storage shed at Northwest Christian Church was burglarized by two juveniles the same night. A gas can and a riding lawn mower were reported stolen.
Detectives allege the juveniles used the stolen gas can to ignite the fire near the trestle, which was declared a total loss. Police estimate repair costs at $260,000.
The suspects, whose names were withheld because they are minors, cooperated with detectives, police said. They were arrested on multiple charges in connection with the incident and booked Sept. 4 into the Yamhill County Juvenile Detention Center in McMinnville.
The railroad line is owned by Portland & Western Railroad, a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc., according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. It remains unclear if or when the trestle will be repaired. Portland & Western and ODOT did not respond to requests for comment.
NDPD said the investigation involved assistance from TVF&R, the Oregon State Police Arson Unit, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office forensics team, the FBI, and ATF. The department also thanked Newberg Public Works crews for cleaning the site and making it safe for travel.
Read: Villa Road Trestle Catches Fire Early Sunday; Cause Under Investigation (July 1)
