MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Crews battle blazing Federal Way fire at site of December murder

Dec 30, 2019, 9:54 AM | Updated: 10:25 am

Federal Way fire...

A fire at a Federal Way house that not long ago was a murder scene. (South King Fire)

(South King Fire)

Crews in Federal Way worked for the better part of Monday morning to quell a raging house fire, where an 85-year-old woman allegedly shot her two roommates earlier in December.

Police arrest suspect in series of Seattle arsons

South King Fire and Rescue arrived at the home in the 2000 block of Southwest 306th Lane to find heavy flames around 6 a.m., and were only able to reach the attic inside two hours later. “Extensive damage” prevented crews from entering the house earlier.

On Dec. 19, 85-year-old Beverly Jenne shot her roommate Janet Oyuga multiple times, killing her. She also reportedly shot her other roommate, Angela Atieno in the back. Jenne had lived at the home for 40 years.

According to authorities, no one was inside the house at the time of Monday morning’s fire in Federal Way.

Seattle police investigating string of 12 fires in a single night

“Sure seems fishy,” KIRO 7 TV reporter Deedee Sun Tweeted. “Hope to get some answers from investigators today.”

Around 10 a.m., crews were able to conduct an initial entry, but thanks to the vast amount of damage from the fire, they were “unable to effectively search the entire house.”

King County investigators are now in charge of the determining the cause of the fire.

The house had recently gone into foreclosure, although Jenne had been allowed to continue living in it by the new buyer while she searched for alternative housing arrangements. A handwritten note found inside her 1977 Chevrolet Malibu — and signed in her name — stated that “(the new buyer) drove me to this … I think she was getting ready to (e)vict me and I’m 85 and no place to go.”

Jenne’s bail was set at $1 million at the time she was arraigned. She currently faces first-degree murder charges.

KIRO 7 TV staff contributed to this report

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

meta social media addiction...

Associated Press

Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction

Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction

30 minutes ago

seattle teachers strike SPS...

MyNorthwest Staff

Seattle teachers to vote Wednesday night on whether to strike, delaying school year

Seattle's teachers could vote to go on strike as soon as Wednesday night when the Seattle Education Association gathers at the Convention Center.

1 hour ago

wrestler evergreen firefighter wildfire...

Tim Hohl

Evergreen College wrestler trades the mat for fighting fires over the summer

Mariah Paz is used to facing tough opponents, but this summer, the Evergreen State College wrestler has been taking on something very different: Wildfire.

3 hours ago

Skagit Bay green crabs invasive...

Associated Press

Invasive green crabs are bad for the environment so New Englanders are starting to eat more of them

The green crabs, Carcinus maenas, made their way from Europe to the East Coast in the ballast waters of ships hundreds of years ago.

3 hours ago

police chief seattle mayor search...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Seattle mayor launches national search for new police chief

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has launched a national search for the next city police chief.

3 hours ago

Seattle Montana family killed...

Associated Press

Former Seattle man killed 8 relatives, including 4 kids, at Sunday dinner in Montana, family says

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A former Seattle man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, as they gathered for Sunday dinner at a home outside Billings, Montana, weeks after his parents asked him to move out, a family member told The Associated Press.

12 hours ago

Crews battle blazing Federal Way fire at site of December murder