WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vehicle set afire in greenbelt (update: photos added)

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1:15 PM: Police are in the (corrected) West Duwamish Greenbelt between Riverview and West Marginal Way, where they’d gone because of a vehicle possibly with stolen plates, found but on fire. They’ve told dispatch that the fire appears to have been set; SFD has responded too, but it’s apparently happening in a tough-to-access place. They’ve also reported that the burning van has had two explosions – so if you’re in the area and think you’ve heard shots, that’s probably what you heard. So far no description of suspect(s) in the arson but the investigation and response continues.

(Reader photo: Smoke rising from greenbelt as seen from Riverview Pee-Wee Fields)

3:02 PM: The vehicle was reported fully engulfed in flames at one point and described as a van possibly belonging to a local nonprofit.

6:24 PM: Added the photo sent by a reader of what appears to be the burned van, seen by an area resident that saw it while walking on a trail near Riverview.

10:33 PM: Here’s the police summary about this incident, released tonight:

At 1129 hours, officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call. The caller stated there was an occupied that drove on the walking trail in a wooded area and appears to be stuck. Caller stated the driver appeared to be smoking something. When officers arrived, they attempted to knock on the vehicle but quickly recognized there was a larger than normal amount of smoke in the vehicle (cargo van). Officers checked to make sure there was nobody inside and it was unoccupied. The rear window broke out, due to the fire and officers observed the lone rear seat was on fire and there was some sort of device with wires coming out of it, underneath the seat. They backed away from the vehicle to get to a safe distance. While moving away from the vehicle there was a significant explosion inside. ABS was called and responded to the scene. It was determined there was an improvised incendiary device at the seat that exploded to create the larger fire that fully engulfed the van. SFD arrived on-scene and was able to extinguish the fire. No citizens or officers were injured from the explosion.

If you have any info, the SPD case # is 2026-000421.

Robert m January 1, 2026 (5:50 pm)

Sometimes I seriously feel like I’m surrounded by absolutely crazy people.

anonyme January 2, 2026 (6:33 am)

I feel the same way. It seems like the world is out of control.

TC January 1, 2026 (10:20 pm)

I ran through there at 11:20a and called the non-emergency line shortly after to report it. Now I’m wishing I would have just called 911 in case that would have got someone out sooner. I could see smoke coming out and told dispatch that, but my assumption was that it was some unstable person cooking inside or something. I now know that was very naive, but at the time I was just sketched out seeing a car up there.

Craig January 2, 2026 (9:38 am)

So thankful that the ABS responder saw the device and wasn’t injured by the explosion. I’m curious as to what city department is responsible for the gate at the bottom of HP Way where the van had to have come from. The deteriorating gate has been illegally breached multiple times in recent months and should probably be replaced. The road is used by SCL, Parks, and restoration crews. Multiple FIFI reports have been filed over the years in response to similar events resulting in insufficient repairs to the gate. On the county map the lower half of the road is depicted as a ROW, so SDOT? In any case, time for a better barrier.
- datamuse January 4, 2026 (3:30 pm)
  
  I came upon this a day or so later and there were tire tracks heading up toward Riverview playfield, but I think the driver stopped and went back to where the van eventually ended up because I didn’t see any tracks on the playfield itself. IOW I’m guessing you’re right about where the van came into the greenbelt from.

HS January 2, 2026 (8:32 am)

There was an “improvised incendiary device at the seat that exploded”. That’s not good. Hoping the police find more information to stop that person.

Monica Cavagnaro January 2, 2026 (9:19 am)

As a neighbor, I am not surprised this happened. The gate & lock at the Highland Park Way is easily broken as another vehicle was recently dumped there. The city needs to do better in preventing the Greenbelt to become a garbage dump!

bolo January 2, 2026 (11:09 am)

“improvised incendiary device”

Sounds dangerous. Lucky it’s wet season.

KayK January 2, 2026 (3:06 pm)

Just a couple of weeks ago this vehicle was reported to FIFI-

Hilly January 3, 2026 (6:48 am)

I’ve been reporting vehicles driving on this trail and breaking through the gate for 6 months. I’ve seen at least 5 different SUVs and vans and people actively trying to cut off the lock at the gate. This will continue until they properly secure the gate.

Monica Cavagnaro January 7, 2026 (10:15 am)

Tuesday AM walk in the West Seattle Greenbelt. Tow truck folks working to remove the burned out van, the problem is a narrow trail, wide truck. How about a metal worker cut it up instead of dragging it out and ripping up the trail??? Headed back today for another view. Pee Wee field entrance needs some help too. I hope the Parks Dept have a plan to smooth out the mud.

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