String of intentionally set fires in South Seattle under investigation
Oct 23, 2025, 1:39 PM | Updated: 4:45 pm
Closeup of the Seattle Fire Department insignia on an emergency response vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Authorities are investigating a series of intentionally set fires in Seattle’s Central District, Mount Baker, and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
Between Oct. 17 and Oct. 22, six fires were reported involving homes, a commercial building, a vehicle, and a portable toilet. Fire officials said all were deliberately set.
The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) posted a list of those fires online Thursday morning.
Updated as of Oct. 22:
- Oct. 17 at 12:04 a.m. – Fire in an unoccupied vehicle parked at 23rd Ave. S. and S. Walker St. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
- Oct. 17 at 1:04 a.m. – Porch fire at a residence in the 3200 block of S. Mt. Baker Blvd. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
- Oct. 17 at 4:38 a.m. – Fire in a portable toilet at a construction site at Hiawatha Pl. S. and S. Charles St. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
- Oct. 18 at 6:34 a.m. – Fire in a vacant section of a commercial building in the 2700 block of Rainier Ave. S. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
- Oct. 21 at 12:31 p.m. – Porch fire in a vacant building in the 1100 block of E. Spruce St. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
- Oct. 22 at 7:58 a.m. – Fire in a residential building in the 1900 block of 22nd Ave. S. This fire was determined to have been intentionally set.
Seattle police released a picture of a suspect possibly connected to the fire on October 22.
This suspect was possibly connected to a fire in Seattle on October 22. (Photos courtesy of SPD via KIRO 7)
Officials said similar fires were reported in the same area in July and August.
“The Arson Alarm Foundation is offering an award from its annual $10,000 award fund to anyone with information that leads to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for setting recent fires in the vicinity,” according to the post. “Call 1-800-55-ARSON or email SFD_FIU@seattle.gov with any information about these fires – you can choose to remain anonymous.”
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
