LOCATION
Portland, Oregon
TIME PERIOD
July 7, 1975
VICTIMS
12 confirmed
The case involves the Pomona Hotel fire, which occurred on July 7, 1975, in northwest Portland, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to 26 others. The fire was set by 57-year-old Roy Jennings Beard, who poured gasoline on the second floor of the hotel, which primarily housed impoverished residents. Firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after it began, but many victims were found in the hallways, having succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while attempting to escape. Beard was arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson and murder, and the incident remains the deadliest fire in Portland's history. Significant evidence included the lack of proper fire safety measures in the building, which contributed to the high casualty rate.
Roy Jennings Beard is believed to have intentionally set the fire as an act of arson, targeting the Pomona Hotel, which primarily housed impoverished individuals. Some speculate that the lack of adequate fire safety measures, such as sprinkler systems, contributed significantly to the high death toll. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the hotel's location in a rough neighborhood may have influenced Beard's choice of target.
The Pomona Hotel Inferno
The Deadly Night of July 7, 1975
In the heart of Portland, Oregon, within the walls of what was once the bustling Erickson Saloon Building, a tragedy unfolded on the night of July 7, 1975. The Pomona Hotel, a refuge for the city's impoverished, offering rooms at a mere 80 cents per night, became the stage for the deadliest fire in Portland's history. It was set ablaze by Roy Jennings Beard, a 57-year-old transient, in a calculated act of arson that claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 26 others.
The Fire
As the clock approached 11 p.m., chaos erupted in the Pomona Hotel. Flames, fueled by gasoline, tore through the second floor, quickly spreading to the upper levels. The hotel, situated on Burnside Street, was located in what was then one of the most notorious skid rows on the West Coast. Firefighters, responding swiftly to the emergency call, were met with a harrowing scene. Men clung desperately to the third-floor ledges, their screams piercing the night air. One firefighter later recounted the sight of men "hanging by their fingertips," a haunting image that underscored the night's desperation.
The inferno ravaged the hallways and doorways of the 100-room establishment, reaching temperatures as high as 1,000 °F (538 °C) on the third floor. The absence of proper sprinkler systems exacerbated the situation, contributing to the widespread devastation. By the time the flames were extinguished, bodies littered the hallways, residents and guests who had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning in their frantic attempts to escape.
The Victims
The fire claimed eight lives instantly, while four more victims succumbed to their injuries in the following weeks and months, bringing the death toll to 12. The victims, publicly identified, included Narcisse Bierle, 57; José Hernandez, 45; Virgil Howard, 47; Carl Hunsacker, 62; William Hysmith, 46; Jim Jiminez, 57; Claude Maple, 69; Keith Millsap, 60; and Robert Platero, 50. These individuals, along with 26 others who were injured—eight critically—were caught in a catastrophe that forever marked Portland's history.
The Investigation and Arrests
In the immediate aftermath, investigators worked tirelessly to piece together the events that led to the fire. Their efforts led to the arrest of John Joseph Newvine in the early hours of July 8. Newvine, a 61-year-old resident of another skid row hotel, the Home Hotel, was initially charged with eight counts of arson and murder. A key piece of evidence came from a gas station attendant who reported a suspicious man purchasing two gallons of gasoline shortly before the fire. An empty gasoline canister found near the hotel appeared to corroborate this account.
However, the case against Newvine quickly unraveled. The gas station attendant retracted his statement, admitting to misidentifying Newvine. As a result, by July 10, all charges were dropped, leaving the investigation back at square one.
Attention then shifted to Roy Jennings Beard, who was subsequently arrested and charged with the fire. On July 15, Beard was sent to the Oregon State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, as investigators questioned his mental capacity to comprehend the charges against him. Following the evaluation, a tentative trial date was set for September 15, 1975, as Beard faced 11 counts of murder.
Aftermath
The fire at the Pomona Hotel remains a chilling reminder of vulnerability and peril faced by those living on the margins of society. The subsequent investigation highlighted the challenges of justice in the face of such devastation. The events of that fateful night in July 1975 continue to echo through the annals of Portland's history, a somber testament to the lives lost and the community's resilience in its aftermath.
Sources
For further reading and exploration of the Pomona Hotel fire, please visit the Wikipedia article.
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Pomona Hotel Fire Begins
Roy Jennings Beard sets the Pomona Hotel ablaze, resulting in a deadly fire.
Initial Death Toll
Eight victims are confirmed dead from the fire, with many others injured.
First Arrest Made
John Joseph Newvine is arrested on charges of arson and murder.
Charges Dropped
Charges against John Joseph Newvine are dropped after misidentification.
Roy Jennings Beard Arrested
Roy Jennings Beard is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.
Trial Date Set
A tentative trial date is set for Roy Jennings Beard for 11 counts of murder.
Death Toll Rises
The total number of fire-related deaths rises to 12 as more victims succumb to injuries.
The case involves the Pomona Hotel fire, which occurred on July 7, 1975, in northwest Portland, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to 26 others. The fire was set by 57-year-old Roy Jennings Beard, who poured gasoline on the second floor of the hotel, which primarily housed impoverished residents. Firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after it began, but many victims were found in the hallways, having succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while attempting to escape. Beard was arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson and murder, and the incident remains the deadliest fire in Portland's history. Significant evidence included the lack of proper fire safety measures in the building, which contributed to the high casualty rate.
Roy Jennings Beard is believed to have intentionally set the fire as an act of arson, targeting the Pomona Hotel, which primarily housed impoverished individuals. Some speculate that the lack of adequate fire safety measures, such as sprinkler systems, contributed significantly to the high death toll. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the hotel's location in a rough neighborhood may have influenced Beard's choice of target.
The Pomona Hotel Inferno
The Deadly Night of July 7, 1975
In the heart of Portland, Oregon, within the walls of what was once the bustling Erickson Saloon Building, a tragedy unfolded on the night of July 7, 1975. The Pomona Hotel, a refuge for the city's impoverished, offering rooms at a mere 80 cents per night, became the stage for the deadliest fire in Portland's history. It was set ablaze by Roy Jennings Beard, a 57-year-old transient, in a calculated act of arson that claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 26 others.
The Fire
As the clock approached 11 p.m., chaos erupted in the Pomona Hotel. Flames, fueled by gasoline, tore through the second floor, quickly spreading to the upper levels. The hotel, situated on Burnside Street, was located in what was then one of the most notorious skid rows on the West Coast. Firefighters, responding swiftly to the emergency call, were met with a harrowing scene. Men clung desperately to the third-floor ledges, their screams piercing the night air. One firefighter later recounted the sight of men "hanging by their fingertips," a haunting image that underscored the night's desperation.
The inferno ravaged the hallways and doorways of the 100-room establishment, reaching temperatures as high as 1,000 °F (538 °C) on the third floor. The absence of proper sprinkler systems exacerbated the situation, contributing to the widespread devastation. By the time the flames were extinguished, bodies littered the hallways, residents and guests who had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning in their frantic attempts to escape.
The Victims
The fire claimed eight lives instantly, while four more victims succumbed to their injuries in the following weeks and months, bringing the death toll to 12. The victims, publicly identified, included Narcisse Bierle, 57; José Hernandez, 45; Virgil Howard, 47; Carl Hunsacker, 62; William Hysmith, 46; Jim Jiminez, 57; Claude Maple, 69; Keith Millsap, 60; and Robert Platero, 50. These individuals, along with 26 others who were injured—eight critically—were caught in a catastrophe that forever marked Portland's history.
The Investigation and Arrests
In the immediate aftermath, investigators worked tirelessly to piece together the events that led to the fire. Their efforts led to the arrest of John Joseph Newvine in the early hours of July 8. Newvine, a 61-year-old resident of another skid row hotel, the Home Hotel, was initially charged with eight counts of arson and murder. A key piece of evidence came from a gas station attendant who reported a suspicious man purchasing two gallons of gasoline shortly before the fire. An empty gasoline canister found near the hotel appeared to corroborate this account.
However, the case against Newvine quickly unraveled. The gas station attendant retracted his statement, admitting to misidentifying Newvine. As a result, by July 10, all charges were dropped, leaving the investigation back at square one.
Attention then shifted to Roy Jennings Beard, who was subsequently arrested and charged with the fire. On July 15, Beard was sent to the Oregon State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, as investigators questioned his mental capacity to comprehend the charges against him. Following the evaluation, a tentative trial date was set for September 15, 1975, as Beard faced 11 counts of murder.
Aftermath
The fire at the Pomona Hotel remains a chilling reminder of vulnerability and peril faced by those living on the margins of society. The subsequent investigation highlighted the challenges of justice in the face of such devastation. The events of that fateful night in July 1975 continue to echo through the annals of Portland's history, a somber testament to the lives lost and the community's resilience in its aftermath.
Sources
For further reading and exploration of the Pomona Hotel fire, please visit the Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Pomona Hotel Fire Begins
Roy Jennings Beard sets the Pomona Hotel ablaze, resulting in a deadly fire.
Initial Death Toll
Eight victims are confirmed dead from the fire, with many others injured.
First Arrest Made
John Joseph Newvine is arrested on charges of arson and murder.
Charges Dropped
Charges against John Joseph Newvine are dropped after misidentification.
Roy Jennings Beard Arrested
Roy Jennings Beard is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.
Trial Date Set
A tentative trial date is set for Roy Jennings Beard for 11 counts of murder.
Death Toll Rises
The total number of fire-related deaths rises to 12 as more victims succumb to injuries.