What started as a late-night backyard fire in North Portland’s Humboldt neighborhood has turned into a six-figure courtroom fight. Allstate is suing a Portland homeowner after a 2024 blaze that, according to the insurer, destroyed a neighbor’s house, damaged a second home and killed two pets. The company says it paid out more than three-quarters of a million dollars for the losses and now wants that money back.
According to OregonLive, Allstate paid $747,000 to neighbor Brant Kilber and filed a subrogation lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court on July 6, 2026. The complaint names Michael Davis as the defendant and seeks to claw back the payout tied to the July 27, 2024 fire.
Portland Fire & Rescue reports that crews were dispatched in the early morning hours of July 27, 2024 and that more than 50 firefighters responded to the two-house blaze, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. The bureau’s account and photos show heavy fire toward the rear of a home, and officials say two pets died of apparent smoke inhalation as flames spread to a neighboring house.
What Allstate Says Happened
Allstate’s complaint claims the fire started when Davis allegedly left a Solo Stove fire pit burning unattended and allowed embers to reach combustible material on or near the adjacent house, according to OregonLive. The insurer says its policyholder, Kilber, suffered a total loss of his home and argues that Davis should be financially responsible for the damage in the civil case.
Photos and Scene Evidence
Photographs posted by Portland Fire & Rescue show what appears to be a Solo Stove near the back deck of the home that investigators examined. Fire investigators ruled the blaze accidental, while Allstate’s lawsuit contends that the placement of the device and the choice to leave embers smoldering are what ultimately triggered the loss.
Manufacturer Warnings and Price Tag
Solo Stove’s product pages warn users, “Do not ever leave Mesa unattended on or near a combustible surface,” language that appears in the company’s safety copy and that reporters have highlighted in connection with this case, according to Solo Stove. Product listings on the company site show typical model prices in the roughly $250–$500 range, and Solo Stove’s Summit models list around $499.99, underscoring that the device at issue is marketed as an everyday consumer item rather than industrial equipment.
What Comes Next
The suit is pending in Multnomah County Circuit Court and is expected to move through the standard civil process. The complaint seeks repayment of the $747,000 insurance payout and any related costs. If the parties settle or a judge rules for Allstate, Davis could be held on the hook for the insurer’s loss; otherwise, the dispute will play out through discovery and further court filings.
The episode serves as a blunt reminder that even small backyard fire pits can have outsized consequences when embers meet combustible materials. Portland Fire & Rescue’s account of the scramble to contain the flames and Allstate’s push to recover its money both drive home how quickly a neighborhood fire can turn into a costly, destructive disaster.
