SEATTLE — Police are investigating a string of eight fires set by an arsonist in South Seattle.
It happened over the course of about an hour.
Police are investigating a series of fires set intentionally in South Seattle, with one home near Franklin High School suffering damage to its front porch.
Police say at least eight fires were set within the span of one hour. Most were small, and no injuries were reported.
“I got their water hose out and tried to knock down as much of the fire as possible,” said Robert Grant, a neighbor who witnessed the fire and attempted to extinguish it.
Grant said he heard a commotion and saw someone walking down the street before he realized his neighbor’s porch was on fire. He said the person appeared to set a napkin on fire near the high school and drop it in the road.
When he stepped outside, he saw a bright light from next door, which turned out to be flames.
Detective Brian Pritchard from the Seattle Police Department confirmed that the fires were set intentionally and were scattered around the Mount Baker neighborhood and near Beacon Hill. At least eight were set.
Police say a suspect wearing dark clothing began setting fires early Friday morning at 22nd Avenue South and South Hill Street. The arsons progressed southbound, ending near South Walden Street and Wetmore Avenue South.
This incident follows a similar string of arson attacks in Mount Baker and Columbia City over the summer, including one that targeted a funeral home. No suspect was ever identified.
KIRO 7 asked police if the incidents could be connected. Pritchard said that was under investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Seattle Police Department.
“You hate for that to happen to anybody, especially neighbors,” Grant said. “Because now you’re thinking, if they didn’t catch the guy, could he come back?”
If anyone has any information that may help with the investigation, please call 911, or the Seattle Police Department Non-Emergency Line at (206) 625-5011.
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