A man is under arrest after Seattle police say he set four box trucks on fire in the SODO neighborhood early Friday, sending crews racing to the intersection of 1st Avenue South and South Spokane Street around 1:30 a.m. Firefighters spent roughly half an hour battling the blaze before bringing it under control. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not spread to nearby buildings.
Crews arrived to find four box trucks on fire, according to Daily Dispatch. Firefighters connected hose lines to hydrants across 1st Avenue South to knock down the flames, the outlet reported. KIRO 7 News Seattle reported the arrest, noting that Seattle police took a man into custody in connection with the fire and that an investigation remains ongoing.
A Familiar Corridor for Fire Crews
The intersection sits inside a stretch of SODO known for heavy freight and warehouse activity, and Seattle Fire Station 14, at 3224 4th Avenue South, is home to the department's specialized Heavy Rescue 1 company, per the City of Seattle.
SODO has seen other significant fires: a three-alarm fire on July 15 involved two tractor-trailers and a commercial warehouse in the 4500 block of 7th Avenue South. Seattle Fire Department investigators officially classified that July 15 blaze as intentional arson on July 21, according to Seattle Fire Line, which noted the fire required more than 100 firefighters and caused a roof collapse.
Charges Could Hinge on Danger to Firefighters
Under Washington law, intentionally and maliciously setting fire to personal property or commercial vehicles constitutes Arson in the Second Degree, a Class B felony carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, per Washington State Legislature statute. Initial reports indicated the SODO fire did not spread to buildings and caused no injuries, while the investigation remains ongoing.
The SODO arrest comes less than two weeks after Seattle police detained a suspect in South Seattle accused of breaking a car window and setting a vehicle on fire outside an apartment building in the 800 block of Hiawatha Place South on September 13. Officers detained that suspect walking away from the scene, according to the Seattle Police Department. Also unresolved is the July 28 fire at Ant's Community Garage on Rainier Avenue South, where an unidentified arsonist destroyed the business and police released surveillance video seeking public help, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle. Hoodline covered that surveillance video release when it first emerged.
Bothell police arrested a suspect on first-degree arson charges in August following an intentionally set commercial store fire.
Seattle police have not released the identity of the man arrested in the SODO fire, and the investigation into what sparked the blaze remains ongoing.
