3 fires in Olympia being investigated as suspicious; 1 person has been detained
Three overnight fires in Olympia are being investigated as suspicious and one person has been detained for questioning, according to the Olympia fire and police departments.
The three fires damaged two apartment buildings and a church. Total damage is estimated at about $1 million. No injuries were reported.
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Buchanan said Olympia fire and police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the blazes.
The three fires happened in the same area and in quick succession, beginning at 3 a.m. Monday. The quick succession, plus the fact that the three fires were within blocks of each other, make them suspicious, Olympia Fire Marshal Kevin Bossard said.
Fire crews first responded to the Cambridge Court Apartments in the 2300 block of Ninth Avenue Southwest, extinguishing a fire in the apartment’s community building, attic and roof.
The second fire was reported about 30 minutes later at Hidden Creek Church in the 1800 block of Ninth Avenue Southwest. The fire damage was limited to the basement, according to Olympia fire officials. Olympia police checked security cameras at the church, which led them to a man who has been detained for questioning, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said. The man is not in custody, he said.
The third fire was reported at 4:14 a.m at the Fern Crest Apartments in the 900 block of Fern Street Southwest. The fire damaged a garage, car and an apartment above it, as well as the building and attic. Eight of the 12 apartment units were affected by the fire, displacing 20 people, according to Olympia fire.
The Red Cross is handling sheltering needs for those displaced by the fire.
Olympia fire received support from Lacey Fire District 3 and Tumwater, McLane, Black Lake, South Bay, East Olympia and Griffin fire departments.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 9:53 AM.
