Olympia police arrest man, 22, in connection to 2 of 3 fires early Monday
A 22-year-old Olympia man was arrested Monday afternoon in connection to two of three fires early Monday in west Olympia that were deemed suspicious by investigators.
The fires damaged the Cambridge Court Apartments in the 2300 block of Ninth Avenue Southwest, Hidden Creek Church in the 1800 block of Ninth Avenue Southwest and the Fern Crest Apartments in the 900 block of Fern Street Southwest.
The man was taken into custody about 2:30 p.m. Monday and booked into the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Fern Crest fire and second-degree arson in connection with the fire at Hidden Creek Church, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said.
Police continue to investigate the Cambridge Court Apartments fire, he said.
The suspect faces a possible charge of first-degree arson for the Fern Crest fire because that building was occupied by residents at the time of the fire, Lower said. Eight of the 12 apartments were affected by the fire, displacing 20 people, according to the Olympia Fire Department. The Red Cross is handling sheltering needs for those displaced by the fire.
Police reviewed security camera footage at the church and detained the man for questioning Monday morning before he was taken into custody.
Total damage for the three fires 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.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 3:16 PM.
