One dead after house fire, shots fired in Springfield

This story has been updated with new information.

One person is dead following a house fire in the 400 block of 36th Street in Springfield, Thursday night, July 3.

Springfield Police and Eugene-Springfield Fire responded around 9:40 p.m. and evacuated nearby homes after hearing continued gunshots from inside the burning house.

According to a police report, a woman who called 911 and was outside when police arrived said her husband had intentionally set the fire.

She said her husband poured gasoline throughout the house and set it on fire while waving a firearm inside. The fire followed a dispute between the couple, she reported.

When responders entered the structure, they located one deceased individual. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons during the event, according to the report.

Officers from Eugene Police Department and Lane County Sheriff’s Office also responded, providing armored rescue vehicles to help Springfield SWAT shield firefighters as they approached the house to extinguish the blaze. 

Drones from the sheriff’s office and Springfield Police were used to monitor the scene. The fire was primarily contained to the house, with little damage to neighboring homes.

Springfield Police detectives are working with the Fire Marshal’s Office and the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office to investigate the incident.

Lt. George Crolly with the Springfield Police Department on July 22 identified 63-year-old Carlos Ortegadena as the person who died in the fire. Ortegadena died from smoke inhalation, and his death has been ruled a suicide, Crolly said.

“Investigators believe Ortegadena, the deceased, started the fire intentionally. As he is deceased, the criminal investigation is no longer continuing,” Crolly said in an email on Aug. 6.

Lookout Eugene-Springfield reporter Jaime Adame contributed to this story.