A string of arsons has hit south Seattle. What we know about the fires

August 01, 2025 / 2:44 pm

caption: The Seattle Fire Department respond to a fire in the early hours of July 30, 2025, at a funeral home in the 4500 block of Rainier Avenue South in Seattle's Mt. Baker neighborhood. It's one of a series of arsons that is currently under investigation by the Seattle Police Department.

Authorities are investigating a recent string of arsons across south Seattle.

The Seattle Fire Department has responded to five early-morning fires, which authorities believe were intentionally set, in and around the Mt. Baker and Columbia City neighborhoods since July 26:

Fire 1: At about 7:30 a.m. on July 26, firefighters responded to a fire at a residence under construction in the 2000 block of 19th Avenue South. The estimated property damage is $20,000. The blaze was later determined to be intentionally set.
Fire 2: Around 3:45 a.m. on July 30, fire crews responded to a structural fire at Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory in the 4500 block of Rainier Avenue South. There were no injuries. The estimated damage is $300,000. The fire department determined this to be another act of arson.
Fire 3: At about 4:20 a.m. on July 30, the department responded to another fire at a residence under construction, this time in the 3300 block of South Hanford Street. The estimated damage is $50,000. The department has determined the blaze was intentionally started.
Fire 4: Around 6:40 a.m. on July 30, the department responded to a third fire — this time a fence in the 3300 block of South Hanford Street. The damage estimate is not yet known. The fire was ruled arson.
Fire 5: At about 5:20 a.m. on July 31, firefighters responded to a blaze at a detached garage and living unit in the 2300 block of 17th Avenue South. The estimated damage remains unknown as of Friday, as is the cause of the fire — though it's suspicious. The fire department found no obvious ignition source, and they still have not yet determined whether it was intentionally set.

caption: A map of where the recent arsons have occurred in Seattle's Mt. Baker and Columbia City neighborhoods.

The Seattle Police Department is investigating each of those fires, four of which it's declared were arsons.

Police are not investigating a sixth fire that occurred at a bath house at Mt. Baker Beach on July 23, saying there's no evidence to suggest it's connected to the other blazes.

In a blog post Thursday, SPD said detectives were not yet sure if all of the fires are connected, or if the same suspect is responsible for them.

On Friday, SPD spokesperson Eric Muñoz said the fires will likely remain under investigation for several months.

"It's going to take some time to get answers and make progress on this investigation," Muñoz said.

He added that detectives are focusing on the three most recent fires for now since they have the most evidence available. Detectives do not yet know the motive behind any of the arsons or why these locations were targeted.

Police recovered video surveillance footage of a suspected arsonist leaving the area near the Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday.

SPD is asking anyone with information about any of the fires to call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or 1-800-55-ARSON, or email SFD_FIU@seattle.gov. Tips can be anonymous.

The department is also asking residents in the area to check for any security camera footage that may be relevamt and share it with detectives.

In addition, the Arson Alarm Foundation is offering an award from its annual $10,000 award fund to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest or conviction for those responsible for setting the fires.