Officials doubt apartment arsons, Seattle fires linked

EVERETT – Investigators don’t think whoever started nearly two dozen fires at an apartment complex Sunday is responsible for arsons that have caused millions of dollars in damage in north Seattle.

“It’s very unlikely it’s the same person,” Everett Fire Marshal Warren Burns said Monday.

Investigators haven’t found any definitive link to a number of suspicious fires started in Everett this summer and blazes set in north Seattle, Edmonds and Lynnwood.

“We can assure the public we have not yet confirmed any association to any other fires inside or outside Everett,” Sgt. Boyd Bryant said.

Monday, detectives were following a number of leads into the fires that were set inside 22 laundry rooms Sunday at the Park Place Apartments, 120 W. Casino Road. About 600 people live in the apartment complex, which is made up of 42 separate buildings, each with its own laundry room.

A fire investigator from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the case.

On Sunday, someone went through the laundry rooms, lighting garbage and clothes on fire.

Police don’t know if the fires are the work of more than one person, Bryant said.

Investigators do say it is likely that whoever set the fires was familiar with the apartment buildings.

It would have taken about 15 to 30 minutes for someone who knows the apartment complex layout to start that many fires, Burns said.

Some of the fires smoldered and never ignited, while others caused damage to the laundry rooms.

Damage to the buildings was estimated at about $22,000. None of the fires spread to any adjacent living quarters.

The laundry rooms have locks but it is unclear if they were secured when the fires were started. Some smoke detectors in nearby apartments didn’t go off because there wasn’t enough smoke to trigger the alarms, Burns said.

“It’s definitely a case that could have been very tragic,” Bryant said.

Experts say serial arsonists are rare, but copycats sometimes set fires on the heels of highly publicized blazes, such as the arsons this summer in Seattle, and other, smaller fires in Everett.

“It is a sad fact that others may choose to imitate these people,” Bryant said.

This is the second apartment complex hit by an arsonist in Everett this month. Someone started fires inside two apartments on Wetmore Avenue on Aug. 1.

Police wouldn’t say how the Wetmore Avenue apartment fires started but warned residents to keep their windows shut when they weren’t home.

Everett police have been working with apartment managers and owners to improve security at their buildings.

A crime-free rental housing workshop will begin in October. Police will be addressing concerns about arsons in Everett this summer, crime prevention officer Steve Paxton said.

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.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.