On September 15th, 2019 at approximately 1:53 PM, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a commercial structure fire at the Gleneden Beach Christian Church located at 7185 Church Avenue in Gleneden Beach. Initial reports indicated there were flames coming from the roof of the church and that the fire was spreading rapidly. The structure was confirmed as unoccupied.
Deputies and personnel from Depoe Bay Fire District, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Newport Fire Department, Pacific West Ambulance and the Oregon State Police responded to the scene. Fire personnel worked diligently to attack the fire which took over three hours to extinguish. Fire personnel were able to save a large portion of the structure. There were no injuries reported.
There were suspicious circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire and the Lincoln County Fire Investigation Team was called to the scene. This team is comprised of members from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Newport Fire Department, Toledo Fire Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set. Deputies, with the assistance of the Toledo Police Department, contacted the suspect in the case, Jordan Savariego age 29, who is transient. Mr. Savariego was subsequently taken into custody without incident.
Mr. Savariego’s charges include Arson, Burglary, Criminal Trespass and Criminal Mischief. His bail is $357,500.
This is an active case and is still under investigation.
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Respectfully submitted by
Rick Ballentine
Patrol Sergeant
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
541-265-4277