(Updates below)
Seattle police responded with Seattle fire to three intentionally set fires over the weekend in the High Point Neighborhood in West Seattle.
Police and firefighters responded to the 2700 block of SW Sylvan Heights on Sunday around 4:45 AM after receiving a report of two cars on fire.
Both vehicles were parked on the street and suffered significant damage before the flames were extinguished.
In a separate incident about 24 hours later, officers and firefighters responded to a fire in an entryway of a commercial building in the 6500 block of 35 Ave SW around 3:30 AM Monday. The fire caused exterior damage to the lower level of the building as well interior damage as the flames passed through a broken window.
SPD arson detectives are investigating the two incidents, but say they have not found anything connecting the cases. Police do not currently believe Monday’s fire on 35th Ave SW was set with the intent of targeting any of the tenants of three offices on the property.
Detectives are working with the Seattle Fire Department and our federal partners at ATF on these cases. If you have any information about these incidents, please call 911.
Update 10/21:
Seattle police and fire department officials are working to investigate a series of arsons in West Seattle, and are offering up to $10,000 for any information. All the fires have occurred between 2:30 AM and 3:30 AM near the High Point neighborhood.
The first two fires were set on Monday, October 12th, around 2:40 AM near the 3500 block of SW Morgan Street. As officers and firefighters were responding to the first fire—a burning box next to a bus stop—they found a burning trash can just around the corner.
Police responded to two vehicle fires set in the 2700 block SW Sylvan Heights Dr on October 18th around 4:45 AM.
The next day, on October 19th, someone set a recycling bin on fire behind a building in the 6500 block of 35th Ave SW around 3:15 AM causing minor damage.
Finally, around 2:30 this morning, October 21st, investigators responded to the 6500 block of 40th Ave SW for another report of a burning recycling bin. The fire caused damage to a nearby fence before it was extinguished.
Investigators have also reviewed a report of a fire in the 7500 block of 35th Ave SW on October 12th, which they currently believe was accidental, set by someone trying to keep warm in a vacant building.
The Seattle Police Department has added emphasis patrols in the area as Arson detectives investigate these cases. Police and fire officials are also working to provide arson prevention information to residents in the area:
If you have any information about this case, please call 911 or 1-800-55-ARSON (27766).
Update 10/22:
Detectives have obtained video footage of a person of interest in the first two fires on October 12th. In that incident, two fires were set near the 3500 block of SW Morgan Street. The footage, recorded shortly before 2:30 AM on the 12th, shows an individual dressed in black and carrying a black bag walking toward the bus shelter, where the first fire was set.
The surveillance camera did not capture the individual’s face, but police believe the person is a white or light-skinned male. Detectives are hoping someone out there will recognize the person’s clothing or may have seen him in West Seattle around the time of the fires. If you have any information about this person or this case, please contact detectives at (206) 684-8980 or call 911.
