Fire in St. Helens housing building contained by residents

A Portland State student arrested on charges of arson is awaiting a decision from the university regarding disciplinary action, after a fire broke out early Monday morning at the St. Helens housing building.

Paul Rowley, a student at PSU, was spotted by a witness and reported to investigators, after firefighters came to clear out smoke and reset smoke alarms, according to a press release from the Portland Fire Department.

Portland State’s disciplinary action will be determined in consideration of the university’s Standards of Housing Policies, as well as the PSU Student Code of Conduct, said Corey Ray, the director of Resident Life, referring to the Dean of Students Office.

“The matter has been referred to the Dean’s Office,” Ray said.

Campus security responded to a call at approximately 4 a.m. based on a report of a student burning paper in the stairwell between the first and second floor of the housing building, said Mike Soto, PSU’s director of public safety.

Students living in the hall put out the fire using an extinguisher before the Portland Fire Department arrived, Soto said.

Investigators found several bundles of burned paper and phonebooks when they arrived at the scene, according to the press release. The fire department stayed for over an hour, clearing smoke and resetting smoke alarms.

The Vanguard‘s attempts to contact the fire department investigator’s office for further comment about Rowley’s charges were not returned by press time.

According to John Eckman, director of housing at PSU, the amount of damage is relatively small. Other than replacing the fire extinguisher used to douse the fire, only a small number of burned carpet tiles have to be replaced.

“We are still getting an estimate, but the total will be less than $1,000,” Eckman said.

Fire investigators have charged Rowley, who is being held on suspicion of arson in the first degree, which carries a minimum sentence of 90 months.