Investigators call Pullman fires arson

PULLMAN – The suspicious fires in three places in Pullman last Thursday were officially ruled arson, authorities said Monday.

The Pullman Police and Fire departments, along with help from the Region 8 Fire Investigative Task Force, have gathered evidence from the fire sites and believe all three fires are related. However, fire investigators have not identified a suspect or suspects.

“While officials do not have a physical link between all three fires, they do strongly suspect that all three are tied together,” according to a joint press release from Fire Investigator Rich Dragoo and police Sgt. Dan Dornes.

The fires destroyed a home, apartment building and several vehicles on Northwest True Street. The blaze also damaged two detached garages on Jackson Street and a SUV parked in an alley near 245 S. Grand.

Three residents were injured in the fires. A 21-year-old man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle but was released this weekend. The other two people suffered only minor injuries and were treated and released the day of the fire.

Police and fire investigators have cycled through several leads. If they are able to make an arrest, the suspect would be facing a charge of first-degree arson.

The evidence collected by investigators has been sent to the State Crime Lab for processing.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the Police Department at (509) 334-0802.