Arson in Prairie City, one arrested
By Logan Bagett on Monday, August 21st, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
PRAIRIE CITY – UPDATE: (Press Release from Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley)
On Saturday evening near 10:35 pm, the Grant County Emergency Communication Center started receiving 911 calls reporting an ATV under a carport was on fire. The location was on North McHaley Street in Prairie City, and the fire was reported as spreading to the residence.
Deputies, Troopers, and the fire departments from Prairie City and John Day responded to the scene. The structure, a manufactured home, was a complete loss in the blaze. The occupant was not home at the time.
Information gained from witnesses and others led to the arrest of Austin Titus, 31. Titus was located in Prairie City at a residence, and was arrested near 0145 am. Titus was transported to the Grant County Jail and held on the charge of Arson in the First Degree.
The Oregon State Police Arson investigator was called to the scene. Search Warrants were served early Saturday in relation to this incident.
The case is still under investigation.
During this call a second unrelated fire was reported in the Dixie Creek area, along with an associated missing intoxicated female.
The fire was located, and the Oregon Department of Forestry took action on it. The fire was confined to a large stump and its root system.
The missing female and her three dogs were later[image1.png][image2.jpeg] located by family.
This incident is under investigation as well.
Todd McKinley
Sheriff
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PREVIOUSLY RELEASED: Firefighters responded to a structure fire in Prairie City late Saturday night. Once Elkhorn Media Group news staff arrived on the scene at 2nd St. and N McHaley St., a house was fully engulfed in flames, as well as a vehicle in a neighboring yard. Witnesses at the scene said the fire began from an ATV and then spread to the house and beyond. See video footage of firefighters battling the blaze below:
No official word has been released regarding the occupants of the house. We’ll provide official information as soon as it’s released.
