August 9, 2022 9:30 a.m.

A Roseburg man was charged with criminal trespass in the second degree, following fires east of Gaddis Park Tuesday morning.

A Roseburg Police report said the 40-year old was contacted as he walked away from the two fires along the railroad tracks east of the 800 block of Northwest Highland Avenue at about 6:00 a.m. The suspect denied any involvement in starting the fires but was on the railroad tracks near them. He also had a warrant for his arrest.

The man was held on $8,750 bail.

The fires, initially reported as railroad ties being on fire, were reported just after 5:10 a.m. A large plume of dark smoke was seen coming from the fire area with flames visible from the Washington Street Bridge. The smoke was followed by a strong odor in parts of the downtown area, and the Laurelwood neighborhood. Fire fighters on scene said the fire was slowly spreading up part of Reservoir Hill for a time, according to scanner traffic. Fire vehicles were seen above the fire area until the fire was apparently put out.