SNOHOMISH — The environmental terrorist group Earth Liberation Front may be behind a $1 million arson and two other arson attempts at three housing developments within a 20-mile radius in Snohomish County.
A note found at one site mentioned ELF, but no one has claimed responsibility, said spokeswoman Julianne Marshall from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The note was found Tuesday morning, hours after two homes were destroyed by arson in another development about 13 miles away. Devices found at those sites are similar to ones found Wednesday inside three homes under construction east of Snohomish, police said.
"It’s definitely some sort of environmental statement," Snohomish County Fire District 4 Chief Bob Merritt said.
The devices found at the three sites — described as plastic bottles filled with flammable liquid — have more than 30 ATF and FBI agents exploring a possible connection between the fires and arson attempts.
"There’s similarities between the materials found at each site, but that does not necessarily mean they are linked," said Marshall, whose agency is leading the investigation. "That’s part of the focus of our investigation."
Contractors discovered the devices, which didn’t ignite, shortly before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday inside homes at the Storm Lake Homes development in the 8100 block of 211th Avenue SE.
"One of them started and looked like it went out," said contractor Joe Cadiz, owner of Cadiz General Contractors. "We heard about what happened at the other two neighborhoods, and I was hoping it wouldn’t happen here."
The plastic containers were filled with a flammable yellow liquid with a candlelike slow-burning device on top, Cadiz said.
No note was found at the Storm Lake Heights homes.
Investigators are scrutinizing a note scribbled on cardboard and a newspaper that was found at Cedars Crossing in the 20000 block of 105th Avenue SE the day before. It was left with a circle of six bottles filled with gasoline, cardboard rolls stuffed with newspaper and makeshift fuses.
Marshall would not disclose the contents of the note, but a witness said it mentioned cutting down trees to develop homes.
Trevor Berring, who found the note, described it as a warning somebody obviously wanted to be found.
Cedars Crossing is about 13 miles from the Lobo Ridge development where two vacant houses were destroyed Tuesday. Attempts to start fires were made at two other homes at the same development.
Authorities stressed that it’s too early to say for certain whether ELF or any other eco-terrorist group is to blame.
ELF could not be reached for comment.
"Our feeling is if it was a big eco-terrorist group, they would have been on TV already," Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart said.
That doesn’t comfort neighbors and builders, who are closely guarding new construction sites throughout the county. Sheriff’s deputies increased patrols for a second night, butBart would not say if those efforts were going to be even greater today, Earth Day.
Police asked residents to immediately report suspicious activity. Workers at Cedars Crossing installed security cameras and extra lighting Wednesday, Berring said.
"We’ll be paying attention," said Storm Lake Heights neighbor Jan Somers, who moved into the upscale 61-lot development in September. "I hope they won’t burn down a house with people in it."
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
