On August 24th an adult male suspect checked into a room at a hotel in the 1100 block of 5th Avenue for a three day stay. On August 25th at approximately 6:29 p.m. the hotel’s fire alarm and automatic sprinklers went off as a result of three fires being set in the suspect’s room. The suspect apparently escaped the fire through a window to the back alley and fled the scene.
Responding officers quickly followed up on leads in order to apprehend the suspect, but were unsuccessful in locating him. Arson-Bomb Squad detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation.
On August 26th at approximately 5:58 p.m. the suspect in the arson showed up at the hotel’s front desk wanting to pick up the property he left in his room the night before. The alert receptionist called 911.
Officers responded quickly and arrested the 37-year-old male suspect, who was subsequently booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Arson.
Arson-Bomb Squad detectives continue to actively investigate.