EVERETT — Police and firefighters are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed two vehicles used by military recruiters Wednesday night.
The fire was in the parking lot of a strip mall at 1203 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett police Sgt. Ryan Dalberg said.
“Early information shows that the fire likely occurred during an attempt to steal fuel from the vehicles,” Dalberg said.
There is no indication that the fire was set as part of a directed threat to any government service, Dalberg said.
Police officers responded to a report of a loud popping sound in the parking lot at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. They found a van in flames and a second vehicle on fire.
Damage was estimated at about $30,000.
FBI agents went to the fire scene. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service also has been informed of the situation, officials said.
The recruiting office is used by multiple branches of the military. It was undamaged.
The fire destroyed an older model Chevrolet Express passenger van and a Chevrolet Impala, Everett fire marshal Rick Robinson said. Early reports said three vehicles were burned, but damage was confined to two, officials said.
No one was injured. Firefighters were on the scene until early Thursday.
“We are classifying it as a suspicious fire,” Dalberg said. “We will work hand in hand with the fire department.”
Don Wrenn, a spokesman for the regional military recruiting office in Seattle, said there isn’t much he can say until the cause of the fire has been confirmed.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
