Man Convicted and Sentenced for Apartment Arson

Eugene Or. - A Lane County Jury unanimously found 49-year-old Avery Jerome Boyle, guilty of Arson in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and a multitude of other counts. The Arson and the Assault charges were related, but occurred on different days and include separate victims. He was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison for the case, which was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Erik Knapp.

***Original story - background***

The fire, on August 2, 2022, at 294 Bethel, was described as “devasting,” It was a large house turned into a fourplex, and was operated by Shelter Care. Some employees working next door at Hazelnut

Drying Building, saved a man in a wheelchair, who was on the first floor and had to be pulled out his window.  These same two heroes also used a tall ladder to evacuate two women who were trapped in their upstairs apartments. Both of the women also went to the hospital with smoke inhalation injuries and one had leg damage from jumping to avoid the fire. It was estimated she escaped with less than 10 seconds before flashover. 

Eugene Police Arson Investigators are thankful to Eugene Springfield Fire Marshall’s Office and especially Fire Marshal Marc Dahl for assisting the investigation, as well as the Oregon State Crime Lab.

Information from EPD

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