An adult male has been arrested on three Arson-2 charges following a string of arson fires in the downtown Kent area over the last few weeks.
The fires were started in dumpsters and other locations. Several of these fires could have spread to buildings, endangering the public if they had not been quickly extinguished by firefighters.
The arrest was due to the exceptional work of the Fire Investigations unit of the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. The three investigators are all experienced firefighters who have also attended and graduated from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
This additional training and law enforcement commission allow the investigators to work closely with police departments, serve warrants, make arrests, and follow arson and other investigations from start to finish.
Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas, whose officers support and work with the investigators, said, “this seamless interaction with police patrol units is exactly why we have commissioned investigators in this area.”
The Fire Investigations unit is reviewing evidence and video footage to determine if the suspect is responsible for more fires than he has been already charged with.
No other information is being released currently due to the on-going investigation.
