Suspicious fire destroys Everett espresso stand

Published 2:46 pm Monday, July 14, 2008

EVERETT – Investigators say a morning fire that destroyed a vacant espresso stand today is suspicious.

The fire started around 10:30 a.m. in a small stand in the 11700 block of Highway 99, Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.

The business was to open Aug. 1 using the name “Java Jugs,” fire investigator Mike Makela, Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s office said.

The espresso stand’s name wasn’t advertised and nobody in law enforcement was making a connection between the business’ name and today’s fire.

Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies are looking for someone riding a bicycle away from the area after the fire started, Makela said. Witnesses were unable to identify the gender, age or race of the bicyclist.

The precise cause of the fire is undetermined, however the fire is suspicious and is under investigation, Makela said. No accidental causes were found and the blaze caused about $22,000 damage.

Neighbors told firefighters the building has been vacant for some time and that preparations were being made to reopen, Hynes said.

The bicyclist is described as wearing a green hoodie pulled up over the head and black pants. The person was seen riding northbound on Highway 99 from the fire scene, Hynes said.

Anyone with information about the bicyclist is asked to call the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s office at 425-388-3557.