This week’s arson attack in downtown Portland, Oregon, which torched a 117-year-old church, has become a symbol of unrest in the city.
Following an investigation by the Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Investigations Unit, Cameron David Storer, a trans woman also known as “Nicolette Fait,” was apprehended. Two counts of first-degree arson, one case of second-degree arson, and two counts of second-degree burglary are all felonies for which the 27-year-old is charged.
Storer, according to authorities, went into the Multnomah County Detention Center and admitted to using a lighter to set fire to the church.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office stated in a press release, “Storer stated they heard voices in their head saying they would’mutilate’ Storer if they did not burn the church down and that they had planned it up to one day in advance.” Storer allegedly disclosed to investigators that she had a history of mental illness and was taking oxycodone.
The fire attack that destroyed a 117-year-old church in Portland, Oregon’s downtown has become a symbol of the city’s chaos.
After conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident, the Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Investigations Unit arrested Cameron David Storer, also known as “Nicolette Fait.”
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on January 3, fire crews responded to sky-high flames that had destroyed the historic Portland Korean Church in the downtown area. The protestant church was originally called as the First German Evangelical Church when it was constructed in 1905. After its congregation relocated to the suburbs, the church sat vacant for a number of years.
The enormous fire necessitated twelve fire engines, six ladder trucks, four battalion commanders, and seventy-five firemen.
According to the fire service, the burnt steeple of the church could collapse at any time, thus the area was cordoned off pending an immediate destruction. The church had been destroyed by a fire in 2020 and was illegally invaded on a regular basis.
Two counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, and two counts of second-degree burglary are filed against the 27-year-old trans woman.
Overnight, crews attempted to control the blaze at the Old Portland Korean Church by dousing it with water.
The enormous fire necessitated twelve fire engines, six ladder trucks, four battalion commanders, and seventy-five firemen.
Tuesday afternoon, the suspect was arraigned, and prosecutors asked that Storer be refused bail. According to court documents, Storer did not appear to enter a plea.
The landlord has an active eviction action against Storer in Rhode Island, where she formerly resided.
According to a statement from Portland Fire & Rescue, the area surrounding the church will remain blocked. “Travel will be restricted in this area until the structure is removed.”
Andy Ngo is a contributing editor at The Post Millennial.
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