Man arrested after saying he started fire at Everett house

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 16, 2017

EVERETT — An Everett man turned himself in to police after reportedly starting a fire in the house where he was staying Wednesday evening.

Firefighters were called to the 5600 block of Broadway around 6:30 p.m. The flames were contained to a basement bedroom, Fire Chief Eric Hicks said.

One of the roommates, who was home during the fire, was taken to the hospital with minor smoke inhalation.

The Everett man, 54, was arrested a short time later.

He allegedly told police he didn’t feel safe at the home so he used a lighter and lighter fluid, court papers show.

He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree arson.

The others who live at the house won’t be able to return until an inspector checks the electrical work and the Snohomish County Public Utility District restores power, Hicks said. The power often is cut to a house after a fire in case of exposed wires.

The American Red Cross of Snohomish County was helping those displaced.