REEDSPORT, Ore. — A Reedsport woman is in custody on multiple charges, including murder, after a late-night house fire Thursday left two people dead and another narrowly escaping.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on April 16, 2026, Douglas County 911 dispatchers received reports of a structure fire in the 27000 block of Lower Smith River Road. Callers indicated that multiple individuals were unaccounted for and possibly still inside the burning home.
Deputies and firefighters responded to the scene, where law enforcement officers immediately attempted rescue efforts. One individual was pulled from the residence; however, despite lifesaving measures, the 65-year-old victim was pronounced dead. A second victim, 67, was later located inside the home and also declared deceased. Authorities said a third person managed to escape unharmed.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
At the scene, deputies detained 41-year-old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport. According to investigators, Westfall admitted to intentionally setting the fire inside the home. Early findings suggest the fire may have been sparked following a disturbance.
Westfall was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:
- Two counts of Murder in the First Degree
- Attempted Murder
- Arson in the First Degree
- Warrant Arrest
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team has taken over the investigation, with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office serving as the lead agency. The team includes investigators from the sheriff’s office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, in coordination with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including local fire departments from Winchester Bay, Reedsport, and Gardiner, as well as the Oregon State Police Arson Investigation unit, Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Reedsport Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact investigators at 541-440-4471 and reference case number 26-1212.
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