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Suspect arrested in Vilas Road structure fire By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Oct 01, 2021 12:10 PM A A Authorities are looking into whether he was involved in fire along same road on Tuesday Medford police arrested a man suspected of lighting at least one abandoned structure on fire. Ralph Richard Bare, 53, was arrested on a first-degree arson charge on suspicion of starting a structure fire first reported after 6 p.m Thursday in the 1200 block of East Vilas Road. Bare was detained in the area where the fire occurred, according to Medford police. They estimate the damage at $25,000. As of midday Friday, Bare remains held in the Jackson County Jail on $20,000 bail. Bare had been camping in one of the abandoned structures in the area at the time the structure caught fire, according to a social media post from the police department. While there is no clear motive for Bare setting the fire, “drug use is believed to be a contributing factor,” police noted. The Medford Fire Department investigation into the Thursday structure fire is continuing, but the fire department has reported no injuries to civilians or firefighters in the blaze. A similar fire occurred at an abandoned mobile home along the same road Tuesday night, according to Medford Fire Department. Police have not confirmed whether Bare was involved, but are looking the possibility.