House fire off Aurora Avenue believed to be intentionally set; potential suspect caught on camera
Sep 15, 2026, 5:57 AM
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
The Seattle Fire Department believes a house fire off Highway 99 in North Seattle may have been intentionally set, and nearby surveillance video may have captured a suspect on tape.
Seattle Fire says the fire happened last Thursday around the 2100 block of Aurora Avenue North. A spokesperson says no one was in the home during the fire and there were no injuries.
The video captures the moments when flames broke out toward the 3rd floor of the unoccupied home. Once the fire started, the outdoor lights cut out and then turned back on, revealing an individual wearing dark clothing, a mask, and a backpack. The individual walked northbound on Aurora Avenue after leaving the property.
Neighbors off camera say they heard popping sounds before discovering the adjacent home fully engulfed in flames. The fire spread rapidly, sending burning embers into nearby trees and dry pine needles before firefighters arrived.
Detective Brian Pritchard with SPD detailed how investigators approach the case as they work to identify the suspect. “And then our investigators will take over, and they will, of course, try to find any evidence they can to determine who set the fire or how it was set,” Pritchard said.
Detective Pritchard emphasized the urgency of locating the person responsible.
“If they can determine who set it, that’s somebody we can take off the street that may set another fire,” Pritchard said.
No arrests have been made in connection with the arson. Detectives said evidence from surveillance footage and the scene could help identify the suspect. Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact Seattle Police.
