A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured yesterday following an explosion and fire at the Co Lam Pagoda in the 3500 Block of South Graham Street.
On Saturday, March 2, just before noon, detectives from the Arson/Bomb Squad (ABS) responded to the location after the Seattle Fire Department had responded to a fire there. Investigators pointed out that the explosion and fire most likely occurred when the 12-year-old and friends were playing with loose pyrotechnic powder in a storage room in the lower level of the building. The explosion and fire caused serious injuries to the boy, and he was taken to Harborview Medical Center. Detectives located and removed a large amount of fireworks and containers of pyrotechnic powders from the scene. ABS detectives will have the responsibility for the follow up investigation.