September 27, 2023 9:30 a.m. 

Sutherlin Police have made an arrest following a house fire Tuesday evening.

Captain Kurt Sorensen said just before 7:20 p.m. several people called 911 to report a fire in the 100 block of Branton Street. Sorensen said an unoccupied house was burning. No injuries were reported.

Sorensen said 26-year old Christian Johnson, a resident of Douglas County, was suspected of starting the fire. Johnson was contacted later during a traffic stop in Roseburg. He was charged with first-degree counts of arson and criminal trespass. Johnson was detained without bail.

Sorensen said anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Sutherlin Police Department at 459-2211.

A Sutherlin Fire Department release said the first responding fire engine found the structure with fire through part of the roof and out multiple windows. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes. A total of 20 SFD firefighters responded to the fire. Assistance also came from Fair Oaks Fire District, Douglas County Fire District No.2 and Oakland Fire District. Sutherlin Police and utility companies were also at the scene. No one was injured. Sutherlin Fire Chief Mike Lane said the cause of the fire is under investigation.