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Man Arrested as Police Investigate Fires Near Burke Gilman Trail

Detectives are investigating a series of fires set near homeless encampments along the Burke Gilman Trail late Monday. One man was arrested at the scene of one of the fires.

Between 11 pm and 12 AM, a mattress, trees and shrubs, a debris pile and plywood were set alight at four locations between NW 36th St and NW 42nd St near the Burke Gilman. No one was injured.

When officers arrived at one fire at NW 7th Street and 42nd Avenue NW, they saw a man–who was carrying a pair of nunchaku–running from the scene.

Officers interviewed the man and found he was also carrying a lighter, though investigators are not yet clear whether the man played any role in the incident.

Police arrested the man for possession of a dangerous weapon–the nunchaku–and booked him into the King County Jail.

While interviewing witnesses at the scene, officers received information about an earlier dispute in an encampment in the area involving a man, who brandished a lighter. Detectives are still working to gather information about the case.

The Seattle Police Department’s Navigation Team will be conducting visits in the area to check on encampment residents and search for any potential witnesses.