SEATTLE — Seattle police say they’re searching for two suspects who ignited a fire that torched several large box trucks as the two attempted to steal fuel from those trucks early Friday morning.
It happened at Penske Truck Rentals at 1st Ave. S. and S. Spokane St.
“All three of those trucks were just scorched black and completely torn open,” said Noel Hubert, who works at a neighboring business.
“And I came into work today, and my coworker was like, ‘Hey, did you hear about the Penske trucks being on fire?’” said Jacquette Jones. “She’s like, ‘Yeah, they were on fire – big blaze of fire.”
As crews worked to clean off fuel and firefighting foam Friday afternoon, police released a photo of a car spotted at the scene overnight.
Police say surveillance video shows two people got out of the car and attempted to steal fuel from the trucks, which started the fire. Police say the flames engulfed the suspects and their car, but they managed to drive away.
Investigators determined that a man arrested earlier in the day at the scene was not involved.
Police also believe a similar fire was sparked by two men trying to steal gas from a U-Haul in Ballard in March.
AAA says gas and diesel thefts increase when fuel prices spike, which did not surprise neighbor KX Boggan.
“It’s just hard times out here,” Boggan said. He added that there was no excuse for criminal activity, “but you know people don’t think logically sometimes.”
Police say the fire caused about $150,000 in damage, and that the suspects may have been injured in the fire.
Anyone with information to call the Seattle Police Tip Line at (206)-233-5000.
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