West Seattle Crime Watch: Arson at Longfellow Creek P-Patch

(WSB photos added 11:16 am: Sign posted on P-Patch shed)
Seattle Police are investigating a shed fire at Longfellow Creek P-Patch in Westwood this morning after it was determined to be arson. From Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore:

Fire Investigators have determined a shed fire located at a West Seattle P-Patch is an incendiary fire.

At 6:50 a.m., a delivery driver called 911 to report a shed fire located in the park in the 2400 block of SW Thistle Street. Engine 11 arrived to find a smoldering pile of combustibles in a wheelbarrow bucket.

The fire was quickly extinguished. There was also minor scorching to the shed.

The damage estimate is $500. The Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad was notified of the fire and will investigate.

Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 800-55-ARSON.

The garden area where this fire happened is alongside Longfellow Creek, just east of Chief Sealth International High School. According to the P-Patch’s city website, it has more than two dozen garden plots.

13 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Arson at Longfellow Creek P-Patch"

  • smallgirlbigtown April 24, 2013 (11:31 am)

    Poor p-patch!!! I’m afraid for what will probably end up happening to the new p-patch at Westcrest.

  • i'mcoveredinbees April 24, 2013 (11:47 am)

    This is so sad! Do not mess with the community gardens, people!

  • Paranoia Willdestroya April 24, 2013 (12:40 pm)

    Yes, we should be afraid. We should hold fear that this is not simply dumb kids pulling a stupid prank. We should just put down our shovels and give in, right? NO!! We have a duty to keep moving forward, no matter what. This tiny little fire is the kind of spark that will get the rest of the community talking about community gardens. I for one am so happy that no one was hurt, and the gardens are intact.

  • Jen April 24, 2013 (2:53 pm)

    “The damage estimate is $500.” I’m hoping that West Seattle Blog might be able to follow up with that patch to see what, if anything, they need replaced (and how people might help). Between neighbors, West Seattle residents, and the tool library, I bet there’s enough interest to replace the gear these gardeners lost.

    • WSB April 24, 2013 (3:06 pm)

      I’m checking with Parks, whose land it’s apparently on, Jen.

  • Heather Floyd April 24, 2013 (4:38 pm)

    It is the 2nd fire at the patch. Very concerning. Sadly, the patch looks a bit unruly and the gazebo area often has folks smoking and chatting. Would love to see the P-patchers busy maintaining the space and present. Very thankful for the speedy fire response.

  • Silly Goose April 24, 2013 (5:18 pm)

    Ah that is too bad,at least it was minor damage. I really feel sorry for the people who feel the need to do this sort of thing, their own life is in such turmoil and has no value that they see no value in other things in life as well. We are all so much better off then troubled people like this!!

  • shed22 April 24, 2013 (5:29 pm)

    I really don’t understand some people’s actions. Although, I wish I knew who did it. $10,000? Is that the award for this specific incident? I’d turn myself in for $10,000.

  • Fire Ball April 25, 2013 (12:03 am)

    Did anyone ever think, Could this have been spontaneous combustion.

    Home Depot sells new wheelbarrow’s for $49.97

  • T April 25, 2013 (3:17 am)

    This saddens and angers me beyond belief. Destroying a community resource, and ruining the hard work the great folks at the P-Patch do for their gardens is low. Keep us up to date WSB. Thanks.

  • Egigik April 25, 2013 (6:10 am)

    I’am sick of the rising crime rate in West Seattle.With all the condos being built and more people moving here I’m afraid it’s just going to get worse.

  • Jim April 25, 2013 (12:49 pm)

    Juvenile vandalism. I’ve caught kids as young as 10 or 11 setting fires in peoples’ yards around here.

  • Anonymous April 26, 2013 (2:32 pm)

    Egigik,
    What condos are you talking about? I haven’t heard of any condos being built in a long time. It’s all apartments.

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