Authorities arrest 19-year-old in connection with Chelan Hills Fire, 4 suspects still wanted
Sep 17, 2026, 4:06 PM | Updated: 5:23 pm
A 19-year-old was arrested in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire. (Photo courtesy of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo courtesy of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office)
The U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills Fire. He is now the second person in custody related to the fire.
The 19-year-old, from University Place, was arrested without incident on Thursday, according to a Facebook post from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was transported to the Tacoma Federal Courthouse, where Douglas County detectives took him into custody.
Personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service arrested the 19-year-old on an outstanding felony warrant for manslaughter in the first degree, arson in the first degree, malicious mischief in the first degree, and assault in the third degree.
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4 suspects outstanding in connection with Chelan Hills Fire
Four more suspects are still wanted in connection with the fire, Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille confirmed to KIRO Newsradio. Caille said the sheriff’s office is very close to catching them.
“We’re gonna do our due diligence and use our partner agencies to the best of our ability, and we’re gonna bring everybody to justice,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, 18-year-old Michael Yakimov, who is accused of starting the fire, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the first degree armed with a deadly weapon, arson, malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault.
The 19-year-old is not being named because he has not been formally charged.
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