Update: Gatewood house fire ruled arson

(Photo courtesy Kathryn)
Just in from the Seattle Fire Department – this morning’s fire in the 7100 block of 39th SW has been ruled arson. (Here’s our as-it-happened coverage from earlier.) We were just at the scene, where two SFD crews are keeping watch, and yellow tape remains across the south side of the property (the photo above shows the west side of the property):

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
SFD says damage to the structure totaled $75,000, damage to the contents totaled $30,000. Harborview Medical Center had confirmed to us earlier that the man brought there from the fire scene was in satisfactory condition; he is one of the people listed on county records as co-owners of the home. We talked to Detective Jeff Kappel in the Seattle Police media-response unit; he says no one is under arrest so far, since SFD had just made the arson determination, which means SPD’s investigation is just now getting under way. Meantime, tonight’s SFD news release says a firefighter also suffered “minor burns to his ear.” As reported earlier, crews found the fire burning in three separate rooms inside the home.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The fire was reported by neighbors who called 911 around 10:30 this morning; fire crews got it under control within 15 minutes of arrival.

3 Replies to "Update: Gatewood house fire ruled arson"

  • waman June 28, 2011 (6:52 pm)

    wow – wonder if they were behind on the mortgage or if the home was going into foreclosure? sad –

  • Marcia June 29, 2011 (2:47 pm)

    That’s a huge house. Is it a house, or an apartment?

    • WSB June 29, 2011 (2:55 pm)

      Single-family house. Looked up the records.

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