The September 28 fire at Thomas James Homes caused an estimated $2.3 million in damage, KING 5 reported, citing investigators or court documents. The office loss was estimated at $1.65 million, and damage to the Civica Office Commons building at another $650,000. Building managers estimated insulation replacement would cost about $150,000 and repairs to the heating and ventilation system $400,000 to $500,000.
Damage beyond the office included standing water from the sprinklers, soot and burned workstations. A security guard was inside the building when the fires began, and at least two people were working on upper floors. Prosecutors cited the possibility that flames could have spread to an adjacent stairwell, according to KING 5.
Allegations and investigation
Prosecutors allege Zachri Jon Armour, 40, entered the Civica building’s parking garage around 8:09 p.m. and went into the Thomas James Homes office through an unlocked door. Investigators believe two cubicle fires that caused the most significant damage were intentionally set. They identified as many as five possible starting points. KING 5 separately reported that a handheld torch was used on a candle and at the back of a computer monitor near the front desk; the monitor did not catch fire.
Surveillance footage showed smoke around 2:56 a.m. on September 28; Armour allegedly left about two minutes later with a cart of items taken from the business. He faces charges of first-degree arson, second-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief. Prosecutors requested bail, citing concerns about another violent offense or failure to appear. Court records cited by KING 5 show prior convictions for residential burglary in 2022 and second-degree assault in 2015, as well as a misdemeanor conviction for indecent exposure.
Armour faces a second-degree burglary charge.
Bellevue says fire and arson investigations involve coordination between its Fire and Police departments and trained investigators. That general information is provided by the City of Bellevue.
Bellevue fire investigations and code
The Bellevue Fire Department’s 2024 annual report says it investigated 35 fires that year, according to the Bellevue Fire Department.
The city says it adopted the 2021 International Fire Code effective March 15, 2024, according to the City of Bellevue. That general adoption date does not establish which code applied to Civica Office Commons or whether any fire-protection system operated or failed.
