‘Prolific arsonist’ arrested in connection to downtown Spokane fires

A man labeled a “prolific arsonist” by investigators has been arrested in connection with at least five suspicious fires in downtown Spokane.

Fire investigators identified a suspect Wednesday morning while reviewing surveillance footage at Molly’s Restaurant, 224 S. Lincoln St., where someone had set fire to a trash bin Saturday night, according to court records.

Spokane police arrested the suspect later Wednesday at 168 S. Division St. He was identified as Donald Hayward, 56, who has an “extensive criminal arson history” in Washington and Florida, according to a Spokane Fire Department news release.

Detectives believe Hayward also is responsible for a July 19 tire fire at the Les Schwab store on Second Avenue, and for a small fire at Redemption Church, 212 S. Division St.

Court records say an employee found Hayward drinking beer on the church steps and told him to leave Wednesday morning. Two hours later, at about 1:30 p.m., someone stuck burning material through a mail slot in a door of the church, setting fire to the floor and causing smoke damage.

Police found Hayward minutes later, about two blocks north of the church. He was wearing a cowboy hat and sleeveless shirt matching the clothes of the suspect at Molly’s Restaurant. Court records say he had matches, a lighter and a bottle of perfume – a “possible accelerant.”

An officer wrote that Hayward was released from a Seattle jail on July 14, and the first of the suspicious fires occurred July 16.

Hayward faces two counts of second-degree arson, and records indicate more charges will be filed. He’s being held in the Spokane County Jail on a $1 million bond.