Suspected arsonist arrested after setting fire near homes, Dairy Queen in North Spokane

A suspected arsonist was arrested Thursday morning in North Spokane after he allegedly set fire to a field near residences and a Dairy Queen.

At approximately 10:05 a.m., the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to several reports of a fire in a field that was rapidly spreading near 301 W. Francis Avenue, SCSO announced.

As deputies arrived, they observed Good Samaritans attempting to extinguish the fire with garden hoses and other water sources. Spokane County Fire District (SCFD) 9 arrived and quickly “gained the upper hand” on the fire.

Surveillance footage captured the suspected arsonist before, after the fire

Deputies conducted interviews and reviewed video from nearby businesses, which revealed a male suspect appearing to pour a substance on the ground and walk away. The man was the only person observed in the area, and soon after he walked away, smoke was seen in the area.

Deputies, along with SCFD 9 Fire Investigators, obtained a description of the suspect and began to search the area. The suspect only admitted to being in the area but denied igniting the fire.

After the suspect was arrested, deputies located a bottle of hand sanitizer containing 70% alcohol and a Bic lighter on his person during a search of the suspect.

A photo of the suspect being arrested in North Spokane. (Photo courtesy of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office)

The suspect was ultimately transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for first-degree arson, which is a felony.

“Thankfully, due to the quick actions of the Good Samaritans, SCFD 9 Firefighters, and Deputies, the fire caused only minor damage to a fence,” SCSO stated.

Another suspected arsonist was arrested in a separate Spokane fire

A second arsonist was arrested last week in Spokane for a separate fire.

On Aug. 8, 911 calls started to come in around noon about a fire in a field near N. Havana Street and E. Rowan Avenue. An industrial business area was on one side, and a hilly green space on the other.

The flames had grown to about the size of a football field and were threatening a business before crews knocked them down. A utility pole was damaged.

This was away from the other three fires and was believed to be suspicious. Deputies identified a vehicle tied to a man in his 60s with prior arson convictions. He was arrested by major crimes detectives after they served a search warrant on his home.

He has not yet been charged.

The destructive Old Trails Fire, which burned hundreds of homes and thousands of acres over the last few weeks, is also believed to be arson. A 37-year-old man has been charged in that case.

Contributing: Jillian Raftery, KIRO Newsradio

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