Fire Prevention Officer Don Gardner of Orofino Volunteer Fire Department sifts through the charred remains of a shed on Jerome Avenue that burned to the ground July 10.
Juvenile suspect arrested inconnection with Jerome Avenue fires
A female juvenile was arrested July 10 on second degree arson charges for allegedly setting several fires on Jerome Avenue in Riverside, Orofino.
Between July 8 and July 10 Orofino Fire Department, Orofino Police Officers and Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department, together with Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection Association and Nez Perce Tribal Police responded to five fire calls in the area of Jerome Ave. and O’Brien Road, Orofino.
At approximately 10:05 a.m. Thursday, July 10, Orofino Police Chief Jeff Wilson, Sgt. Zach Ward and Officer Bill Pollick responded when the call came in of a shed on fire on Jerome Ave. The offers arrived to find the shed completely engulfed in flames.
Ward and Pollick were briefed on scene that there had been a series of suspicious fires occurring in the area. Two of the fires occurred in the County jurisdiction on O’Brien Road and three were within the City of Orofino jurisdiction on Jerome Avenue.
After conducting an initial investigation and questioning all persons on scene a female juvenile was arrested on second degree arson charges and transported to Clearwater County Jail for booking.
These fires are still under investigation by both law enforcement offices and no further information is available at this time.