The fire that caused extensive damage to an under-construction townhouse project at 24th and Norman last week was intentionally set, fire department investigators say.
Now a post signed only by “Some Anarchists” on the Puget Sound Anarchists website claims responsibility for the arson.
The townhouse project developer Benjamin Custom Homes describes the homes as “efficient green homes with approximately 2500sf of modern living, attached parking and private roof-top deck with views of the Seattle skyline.”
The case is under investigation by SPD’s arson team. Central District News has attempted to contact SPD to ask them about the PSA post and will update when we hear back. UPDATE: Seattle Police said investigators are aware of the post, but have no additional information on the investigation at this time.
Seattle Fire Investigators determined a fire at an under construction house in Judkins Park was intentionally set.
The initial 911 call came in at 12:28 a.m. reporting flames coming from a single family home located at the corner of South Norman Street and 24th Avenue South. While responding to the scene, fire officers could see the flames shooting into the night sky from several blocks away.
Engine 6 arrived first to find a full involved 3-story home that was under construction. Flames from the home were exposing to a second under construction house. Using multiple hose lines, firefighters were able to control the flames in 7 minutes. Embers from the fire landed on a nearby houses roof causing a temporary evacuation of the residents. The residents were eventually allowed back in.
The fire also damaged a piece of construction equipment, a port-a-potty and burned through a power line to a home. There were no reported injuries.
Firefighters conducted an overnight fire watch to make sure the embers don’t reignite in the home.
Fire investigators estimate the damage at $30,000 to the structure and contents. The case has been turned over to the Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad who will be investigating.
If the fire was set on ecological grounds then it makes no sense. They will just restart construction and the damaged material went to waste. Now even more of earth’s resources will need to be consumed. A senseless act.
Some naively choose to view anarchists as respected activists and tacitly support their nefarious activities. This arson incident is yet another example of anarchists as just plain criminals.