By Associated Press - Tuesday, November 26, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting two fires in a Portland residential neighborhood in August that destroyed two commercial buildings, five homes and about 50 cars in a parking lot.

Authorities said Tuesday that 39-year-old Allen Michael Singerhouse also started two other significant blazes.

He was arrested Nov. 21 on charges of first- and second-degree arson.

Smoke from the Aug. 26 blaze could be seen for miles and it caused an estimated $2 million in damages. It also forced the evacuation of multiple homes.

Singerhouse’s court-appointed attorney, Aubrey Hoffman, did not immediately return a call.

Officials say community tips, including surveillance video from a northeast Portland business, helped detectives identify Singerhouse as the suspect.

Court documents say Singerhouse told police he had started “dozens” of fires.

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