Just as the morning commute was getting underway, Portland firefighters were called to put out a cross that had been set fire near a major intersection.



The cross, about 3 feet high, was set ablaze about 5:54 a.m. on the sidewalk at West Burnside Street and Northwest Broadway. It was surrounded by traffic cones and street closure signs left over from the Grand Floral Parade.



Crews quickly put it out and arsonists were called to the scene. No one was injured in the fire and no buildings were burned. Police said the cross was made out of small tree branches that had been strapped together with trash.



Witnesses saw a man lighting the cross. They said he was between 30 and 50 years old, about 6-foot-tall, with a medium build, brown hair, possible beard and wearing a hat and blue jeans.



Police asked anyone with information about this incident to call Detective Joe Luiz at 503-823-3408 or email him at Joseph.Luiz@PortlandOregon.gov.



-- Lynne Terry

