Douglas County Fire Leaves Two Dead; Suspect Charged With Murder

REEDSPORT, Ore. (Apr. 17, 2026) — A Reedsport woman has been arrested on murder charges after authorities say she intentionally set a house fire late Thursday night that killed two people and left another unharmed.

Emergency dispatchers in Douglas County received a report shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday of a structure fire in the 27000 block of Lower Smith River Road, where callers said people were unaccounted for and possibly trapped inside.

Deputies and firefighters responded and attempted rescue efforts upon arrival. Authorities said one person was pulled from the home but died despite lifesaving measures. A second victim was later found inside and also pronounced dead. The victims, ages 65 and 67, have not been publicly identified pending notification of next of kin.

A third person was able to escape the fire and was not injured.

At the scene, deputies detained 41-year-old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport. Investigators said Westfall admitted to intentionally starting the fire inside the residence, which they believe followed a disturbance.

Westfall was lodged at the Douglas County Jail and faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, first-degree arson and a warrant arrest.

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation, with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office serving as the primary agency. The team includes investigators from the Roseburg Police Department and Oregon State Police, working in coordination with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

Additional agencies assisting in the investigation include the Winchester Bay, Reedsport and Gardiner fire departments, along with the Oregon State Police Arson Investigation unit, the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Reedsport Police Department.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing.

All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law