Central District firefighters suppress set flames

By Samantha Allen

Published: August 9, 2022 | 7:59 PM GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Beginning about 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 and continued until 8:45 p.m., four lit fires occurred in the Central District. All of the fires started around the front or back doors of residences and included combustible things including cut firewood, patio furniture, garbage cans, and gas grills. Thankfully, no injuries were recorded. The perpetrator was apprehended by Seattle Police at the location of the fourth lit fire.

Fire investigators determined that all four fires were started on purpose. A follow-up investigation is being conducted by the Seattle Police Department on the suspicion of arson.

We appreciate the inhabitants of the affected regions for informing us and law enforcement of the suspect’s movements. Thank you to the Seattle Police Department for apprehending the culprit while our firefighters were putting out the flames. Both of your prompt actions aided in the prevention of more flames.

An interactive map of the fire sites is available online, along with a short explanation of what caught fire.

The following are the places where the fires occurred:

37th Avenue, 600 block
31st Avenue, 500 block (two residences on this block)
30th Avenue, 500 block

Given the recent fires, here are a few basic precautions you may take to lessen the likelihood of an arson fire at your house or business:

OUTSIDE:

Lock doors and windows to secure your house, garage, and business.
Remove any wastepaper, grasses, weeds, garbage, or other flammable materials from near structures. Remove all combustibles from carport areas.
Dumpsters, recycling bins, and yard trash containers should be placed at least five feet away from walls and roof eave lines. If at all possible, store them in a secure location. Do not let them grow overcrowded.
Lock business dumpsters or store them in a safe location. Your contracted service provider may have locks available. Receptacles should only be metal or metal-lined.
Residential customers may contact Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 684-7665 to arrange for recycling and trash container locks to be sent and installed.
To increase visibility, trim shrubbery near doors and windows.
Install motion-activated outside lighting or consider keeping lights on.
Secure gas grills or disconnect and store propane tanks in your garage.

INSIDE:

Check fire and life safety systems, including fire extinguishers, at companies to verify they are operational and in conformity with codes.
Test smoke alarms to verify they are operational for homes.
Create and rehearse a fire escape strategy. Make certain that you are aware of all exits and a meeting location.
Know where your fire extinguisher is and how to use it if you have one.
Keep exits clean of anything that might impede evacuation attempts.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.