‘Frightening’ train trestle fire in Newberg was started by 2 juveniles, police say

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The train trestle fire in Newberg more than two months ago was started by two juveniles, who were arrested on Thursday, Newberg police said

The two individuals were lodged in the Yamhill County Juvenile Detention Center on multiple charges.

On June 28, fire crews responded to the large fire in the 1300 block of Villa Road at a historic train trestle. Officials say the property of Northwest Christian Church was burglarized on the same evening of the fire, where suspects stole a gas canister and moved a riding lawn mower. Damage to the property, including a church vehicle, was also found.

“Through citizen tips and a thorough and lengthy investigation, detectives identified two juvenile suspects. Detectives learned the two juveniles broke into the storage shed at the church and used the gas canister to start a fire near the train trestle. The fire resulted in the total loss of the trestle, with estimated repair costs totaling $260,000. Upon contact by detectives, both juvenile suspects cooperated with the investigation,” police said.

KOIN 6 spoke with multiple witnesses the day after the fire.

Corinne Tate – who lives with her husband, Tom in a home directly overlooking the trestle – recalled the moment firefighters came knocking on her door at the time the fire broke out, requiring them to evacuate.

“I looked, and right there in my face was that trestle on fire,” Corinne said. “We got dressed, and I was out the front door in less than five minutes, ready to go.”

“It was like a scene out of ‘Gone With the Wind’ when they burned Atlanta,” Tom recalled. “It was this huge, awesome wall of fire.”

“I wouldn’t call it awesome. I would call it frightening,” Corinne replied.