Man started fire in apartment to 'get rid of the smoke' from wildfires

A man from Portland, Oregon, was arrested after police said he started a fire in his apartment, after seeing smoke from wildfires.

Michael Downey at first denied to police that he set paper and metal clothes hangers lying on his apartment floor ablaze on Saturday. But then he quickly admitted "actually, I did," court documents say.



The 29-year-old explained that he noticed smoke in the air from large wildfires from across the state and came up with a plan to try and get rid of the haze. So he "started (a) fire to get rid of the smoke," according to a probable cause affidavit. A neighbour smelled smoke coming from Downey's apartment, pushed Downey's door open and used water to put out the small fire.

The fire left a small black mark on Downey's carpet. Police found a pipe with meth that Downey admitted was his during a search, the affidavit said. Downey was taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center and has been charged with three counts of arson in the first degree, possession of meth, reckless burning and recklessly endangering another person.