EDMONDS – The keen eyes of witnesses helped police Thursday night catch a suspect who they believe started two suspicious fires back to back.
The man, who was described as white in his late teens, was being questioned late Thursday after he was followed by officials to an Edmonds apartment complex.
He was spotted leaving the scene of the second house fire by witnesses, who pointed him out to officials.
One witness, Jeanine Jansen, yelled out, “There he is, there he is,” and then her husband, Anthony, took off in bare feet after the man as he drove away.
The first fire began about 6:55 p.m. in an abandoned single-story rambler at 23514 84th Ave. W. The fire started in the front room area and spread to the attic. Firefighters had it put out by 7:34 p.m., officials said.
Meanwhile, firefighters saw smoke coming from the west. It turned out that there was a second fire at another abandoned rambler in the 8200 block of 234th St. SW.
That fire was reported at 8:03 p.m. and put out by 8:27 p.m., officials said.
Before the fire began at the second house, the Jansens saw a car pull into the second house.
Then they saw the fire and called 911. As they were watching the firefighters, the Jansens noticed the same car and saw a man behind the wheel of the car watching firefighters, the couple said.
That’s when Jeanine Jansen pointed out the suspect, who backed his car down the road. Anthony Jansen gave chase, as did a firefighter.
Edmonds police were able to spot the car pulling into the Alpen Haus apartment complex, where the man was being questioned late Thursday.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating along with Snohomish County and Lynnwood fire marshals.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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