It’s unclear how many fires classified as ‘homeless related’ actually involve homeless Portlanders
Darrell Pattum wasn’t there when an arsonist burned down his camp in 2019, but his neighbors said a man walked out of a nearby business and threatened them before dousing Pattum’s tent with an accelerant, lighting it on fire and fleeing.
Neighbors frantically called 911, then Pattum. But by the time he got back, everything he owned and the security he’d worked to build was gone.
Pattum, 55, is not alone in his experience. In 2019, Portland Fire and Rescue data shows 803 ‘homeless-related’ fires, in which 19 people were injured, and three were killed. In the subsequent years, the number of fires impacting homeless people continued to increase. Importantly, “homeless related” does not translate to “homeless caused.”
In 2020, Portland Fire and Rescue recorded 3,342 fires. Of those fires, Portland Fire and Rescue recorded 1,244 or 37% as “homeless related.”
In 2021, Portland Fire and Rescue reported 4,377 fires. Of that year’s fires, Portland Fire and Rescue recorded 2,048 or nearly 47% as “homeless related.”
As of August, Portland Fire and Rescue recorded 1,304 fires, or nearly 67% of the 1,955 fires reported in Portland, as “homeless related.”
Since 2019, the fires have killed at least nine homeless Portlanders and injured 75.
Investigators concluded arson caused at least 309 of the fires, though the housing status of perpetrators is unknown. In addition to “arson” not necessarily including the "reckless fire" acts, it also doesn't account for the substantial number of "undetermined cause” fires. In fact, the majority of ‘homeless-related’ fires are of an undetermined cause or origin, according to Rick Graves, Portland Fire and Rescue public information officer.
Per Graves, Portland Fire and Rescue uses National Fire Incident Reporting System standard classifications to define “undetermined cause” fires as “in the circumstance where all hypothesized fire causes have been eliminated, and the investigator is left with no hypothesis that is evidenced by the facts of the investigation, the only choice for the investigator is to conclude that the fire cause, or specific causal factors, remains undetermined.”
Graves said the high number of “undetermined cause” fires could be due to incomplete investigations.
“There is a significant reduction in the numbers of ‘houseless’ fires being investigated by the (Fire Investigations Unit) was (sic.) a change in our response matrix last fall,” Graves told Street Roots in an email. “Due to the enormous increase in houseless related fires, we could not meet their demand. After extensive review, the large majority of houseless fires we responded to resulted in an ‘undetermined’ cause. This means that the investigator could not determine a cause for the fire with a ‘more likely than not’ belief. This was in large because of the inability to complete an investigation.”
Additionally, due to how Portland Fire and Rescue classifies fires as “homeless related” — a term for a large number of fires originating outside or within non-house structures applied at the discretion of the personnel investigating — it’s unclear how many are actually involving homeless Portlanders.
“With regards to the classification (that) a fire is houseless related, it is the company officer’s discretion to identify the potential. This is based on a ‘more likely than not’ belief and does not have to be independently verified,” Graves said. “The criteria of ‘near homeless/houseless’ people would not qualify. Ex: A garbage can fire near a houseless tent would not qualify. However, a witness saying a houseless appearing person ignited the garbage can and appeared to be using it for heat would qualify.”
Graves said Portland Fire and Rescue relies heavily on witness statements to determine the cause of a fire and said homeless Portlanders are often unavailable or unwilling to talk to fire personnel. Further corroboration of what witness statements are gathered is not required, and guidelines do not provide strict guidance for personnel who designate a fire as ‘homeless-related.’
Portland Fire and Rescue does not appear to track how many ‘homeless-related’ fires lead to house, apartment or business fires.
Nowhere to turn At the scene of the fire, Portland Fire and Rescue referred Pattum to the American Red Cross Cascades Region, a local wing of the nonprofit humanitarian organization known for providing emergency assistance and disaster relief. To Pattum, the Red Cross seemed like the best people to call for help. However, after a representative for the Red Cross of the Cascades showed up and conducted a basic screening, Pattum said he was told they couldn’t help.
He says the refusal was because he is homeless.
“I called up Red Cross, and they did the screening, and they said definitely they were going to get somebody out to help me deal with this situation,” Pattum said.
However, when a Red Cross representative arrived and found Pattum lived in a tent, Pattum said the representative told him, “Well, we don't help people that have tents anymore as of April.”
When Pattum asked why the Red Cross changed its policy, Pattum said the representative told him it was because homeless people can cause fires deliberately. Pattum pushed back, questioning why someone in his position would intentionally lose everything they had. Pattum said the representative told him people living in tents burn down their own homes to “get benefits from them.”
“You got to be kidding me,” Pattum said. “I'm gonna burn my tent down for a little bit of help? I will never get back what I just lost. Nowhere close to it.”
The Red Cross of the Cascades’s refusal to help him “was a shock,” Pattum said.
“Because prior to that, I knew they helped in disasters like this, and I was told by the fire department to contact them, and they made it all the way out,” Pattum said. “So that means they did a screening on the phone, saying 'yes, we will help,’ and sent these people out to tell me that they can't help. I'm like, that doesn't make sense.”
Pattum said the Red Cross did, however, offer him a hygiene kit and socks.
Placing the blame As the fires increase, the lack of clarity regarding causes and impacts adds to a dangerous stigma — that homeless people are universally at fault for the fires.
For people like Pattum, placing the sole blame on homeless people for fires creates a stigma that becomes a barrier to aid. Data from Portland Fire and Rescue does not indicate homeless people cause or are even personally involved with ‘homeless-related’ fires.
While investigators classify each of the fires, investigators were unable to determine the specific cause in a majority of the cases, even when able to identify ignition factors.
Portland Fire and Rescue determined 1,708 of the 5,784 'homeless-related' fires since 2019 were due to “undetermined ignition factors.”
Most of the remaining fires — 3,596 — are not tied to homeless Portlanders using heat sources like campfires or camping stoves. Of the 3,596 fires, reckless acts, unlawful incendiary and “incendiary-lawfulness not determined” accounted for 863 of them, but Portland Fire and Rescue data doesn’t indicate who was responsible.
Only 480 of the 5,784 fires, or 8.3%, were determined to be due to heating sources and combustibles being too close to each other.
The arsonist who destroyed Pattum’s home, Roy Elworthy, was charged with arson 2, a felony. Elworthy chose to enter a guilty plea. In August 2020, Elworthy pleaded down to reckless burning, a misdemeanor. Elworthy was ordered to pay $100 and take an anger management class. Both were waived with court documents citing COVID-19-related challenges as the reason.
“I take these alarming statistics very seriously and understand these and every fire pose a significant public safety risk for Portlanders — housed and unhoused,” Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who oversees Portland Fire and Rescue, told Street Roots when asked about the data. “My biggest concern is that lack of shelter and affordable housing has led to an unfortunate reality where thousands of people are living on the streets who therefore resort to starting fires to stay warm or cook food. Those fires can grow out of control and put people in harm's way.”
Portland Fire and Rescue and the Portland Police Bureau said the departments work together to investigate arson in encampments.
“When an arson occurs, investigators within PF&R’s fire investigation unit and I attempt to identify all witnesses, interview victims, and provide them with resources when possible to improve their situation,” PPB Det. Meredith Hopper said. “I take arson-related activity within the homeless community as seriously as investigating an arson related to a housed person.”
In Pattum’s case, he lost his home and property due to targeted violence because he was homeless. And after the fire, the Red Cross allegedly turned him away for the same reason. Caught between a lack of resources and a lack of action by the city, Portlanders like Pattum are left with little recourse in the event of a fire.
A smoky fire aid system The Red Cross has a well-established reputation for providing aid to fire survivors. The nonprofit giant’s website notes as a part of its Home Fire Campaign, it provides help with “... emergency lodging, financial assistance, replacing medications, finding a place for pets to stay and guiding people one-on-one through the recovery process.”
While Portland Fire and Rescue said it could not confirm if it referred Pattum to the Red Cross after the fire, an incident report confirms its presence at the scene, and Lt. Elizabeth Thompson of Portland Fire and Rescue said such a referral is consistent with the bureau’s protocols.
“As a courtesy, the incident commander will often contacts (sic) Red Cross if the resident(s) do not have other housing options,” Thompson said in an email.
The Red Cross of the Cascades refused to provide Street Roots records of its interactions with Pattum, citing privacy.
“Each time being told, ‘Yeah, we're going to help you,’ for the person to (then arrive) and tell me, ‘No, we're not because you're one of ‘those.’ That is damaging, and I feel it’s done deliberately to cause harm.”
– Darrell Pattum, homeless arson victim
“... (T)he American Red Cross is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the people it serves and does not discuss or disclose this type of information,” Dawn Johnson, regional communications manager, said.
Johnson said the aid process for fire survivors starts when local fire agencies refer someone to them. The casework for determining eligibility for fire aid then involves volunteers assessing the survivors’ needs.
“Through case work performed by our volunteers, we focus on determining which immediate needs, such as safe shelter, food, emotional support, first aid and health services, and emergency relief supplies, such as blankets, hygiene items and cleaning supplies may be most helpful,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the Red Cross does provide post-fire aid to homeless people. When asked for any examples, proof or evidence of this aid, Johnson said she could not provide any.
Between March 15, 2021, and March 15, 2022 Red Cross Cascades Region responded to 688 home fires and assisted 2,341 people, Johnson said.
“We do not classify people we serve as homeless, so we cannot provide a breakout of those numbers,” Johnson said.
Johnson also did not answer Street Roots’ repeated questions about the following:
1. What determines if someone is eligible for aid after a fire?
2. What is the procedure for deciding the type and amount of aid awarded to fire survivors?
3. What are the Red Cross’ policies or guidelines relating to its post-fire aid programs?
Street Roots also reached out to the national press offices of the Red Cross and did not receive a response.
Slipping through the cracks The lack of clarity regarding available aid for homeless Portlanders after a tent fire persists within local government agencies, as well.
While Portland Fire and Rescue responds to tent fires and fires at other temporary structures used by homeless Portlanders, it’s not the agency responsible for rendering post-fire aid.
“We have a partnership with Portland Street Response, who have provided items to homeless individuals,” Thompson said. “You may want to contact (Portland Street Response) for information as well.”
However, Caryn Brooks, Portland Street Response communications manager, said responding after a tent fire isn’t within the agency’s purview, nor is interfacing with the Red Cross.
“Tent fires aren’t a situation (Portland Street Response) engages in, so we wouldn’t have experience with Red Cross engagement on tent fires,” Brooks said. “A tent fire would be a high acuity response and (Portland Street Response) responds to low acuity calls.”
After the Red Cross turned him away, Pattum turned to the justice system for restitution. After Elworthy was charged, Pattum said the court told him he could receive restitution. Three years later, Pattum said he still hasn’t received a payment.
A lack of resources While it is unclear if the Red Cross provides aid to homeless people and the scale of its potential aid refusals or what is causing these fires, homeless people losing their shelters to fires appears to be an increasing trend.
No one knows this better than Pattum. Since the 2019 fire, Pattum says he has lost his home twice more, once when a van he was living in caught fire during a heatwave in September 2021 and again to another possible arson.
“The impacts are devastating because people lose their belongings — clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, perhaps ID or other important documents,” Blanchet House Executive Director Scott Kerman said. “And, of course, this kind of event is very traumatizing, so it compounds the trauma people already experience being houseless … These arson events contribute to this overwhelming sense of terror and victimization.”
Though Blanchet House doesn’t have the national resources of larger nonprofits, Kerman wrote, “(w)hen people approach us because they’ve lost everything (whatever the cause), we do our best to resupply them. At lunch or dinner, we have peer support mentors on-site to meet with meal guests and provide this help.”
Kerman said he’s not knowledgeable about arson fires but “know(s) it occurs” based on conversations with meal guests.
These fires and the lack of resources to recover are more than another significant setback in Pattum’s path back to stability and housing: they’re also a psychological blow.
Pattum says he called the Red Cross after the second and third fires too.
“Each time, the fire department says they're gonna speak with the Red Cross themselves,” Pattum said. “So I try to reach out to (the Red Cross) again in the hope that there's some help there.”
After three rejections, though, for Pattum, these refusals began to fit into a broader pattern of racist and classist discrimination the life-long Portlander has lived and seen all his life. As a homeless person, Pattum knows the discrimination goes even further.
“Each time being told, ‘Yeah, we're going to help you,’ for the person to (then arrive) and tell me, ‘No, we're not because you're one of ‘those,’” Pattum said. “That is damaging, and I feel it’s done deliberately to cause harm.”
Despite a prevailing narrative that homeless people cause these fires, Pattum was not to blame for any of the three fires that destroyed his home and property. The stigma has real consequences.
“I see people I grew up with; they're out here dying on the streets,” Pattum said. “People I went to school with, went to church with when I was a kid. It makes no sense.”
Unsatisfactory answers With recent city policy focused on banning unsanctioned camps and shelters often full or unable to meet the unsheltered population's needs, it can be nearly impossible for homeless survivors of fires like Pattum to navigate the ever-changing array of services offered by Portland’s web of nonprofits — all while trying to rebuild enough security to survive day-to-day.
PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen said the bureau is working to educate homeless Portlanders about fire dangers as a method of prevention.
“We realize the homeless community is especially vulnerable to accidental fires, due to their living conditions when it comes to the colder weather and their alternative forms of heating their shelters,” Allen said. “PPB works with PF&R to educate members of the community of dangers related to alternative heating sources when I come into contact with victims, witnesses or even suspects.”
According to Hardesty, the solution is housing.
“Ultimately, the solution is shelter, housing and a social safety net that provides the basic necessities of life to all people regardless of income status, so we are not in a situation where people living outside feel compelled to light a fire for warmth or cooking,” Hardesty said.
Hardesty said she expanded camping restrictions in wildfire hazard zones, banned the use and sale of fireworks in Portland and also worked to increase fire safety education.
Aaron Johnson, Portland Fire and Rescue chief’s adjutant and senior policy advisor said Portland Fire and Rescue has responded to the trend by extinguishing illegal fires, conducting outreach and education, issuing referrals to various community groups and inspecting temporary shelters.
For people like Pattum, these answers aren’t enough. There needs to be more urgency.
“The city is allowing things to happen that is truly (disrespectful),” Pattum said. “Why have they been so lackadaisical about everything?”
This struggle has been the last eight years of Pattum’s life, and it's only gotten harder. After losing his van, Pattum temporarily lived in an apartment with housemates before police reportedly kicked them out without notice or reason. He then bought another van, but the city towed it. Pattum bought a third vehicle, which was stolen. The cycle continues.
“I have nothing left,” Pattum wrote via text message.
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