Arson spree continues in Greenwood
SEATTLE -- Investigators said four more fires overnight in the city's Greenwood neighborhood were intentionally set.
Fire Department spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen said two fires were set about 11 p.m. Sunday behind a commercial building in the 7700 block of Greenwood Avenue.
"(I) step out," said neighbor Charlie Estes, "and see the entire fire department and a bunch of cops and think 'Oh great, the firebug has struck again.' "
The fires caused about $1,000 damage before they were put out.
A third fire was reported by an arson patrol in the area that smelled smoke about 4 a.m. Monday. It caused about $20,000 damage to the back wall of the Olive You restaurant at 8516 Greenwood Avenue.
"We have several fire department units that are patrolling this neighborhood in the overnight hours," Vander Houwen said.
The restaurant's owner had worried the arsonist might make his area a target.
"Last night, the fire marshal came and talked to me and I was telling him, I said, 'You got to be really right around here because I know he's coming right now for us,' " said Timur Leno.
Just before 8 a.m., crews were called to another fire, this time at the Greenwood Quick Stop at 81st and Greenwood Avenue, and damage was minimal.
Investigators said someone removed a crawlspace cover and set fire to cardboard next to the building. A store customer came to the rescue when the owner discovered the smoke.
"When she opened the door smoke was coming out and she was a little panicked," said Bill Meserole. "So I ran inside to see if something inside the store was on fire."
Meserole didn't find any flames inside, so he ran outside to find the source of the smoke.
"When I went along side the building there, somebody had pulled a -- there was a rectangular wire mesh thing," he said. "Somebody had peeled that back and took a piece of cardboard and tried to light the siding on fire."
The owner said she saw a suspicious man outside right before the fire started.
"He's tall, and long hair," said Sue Kim.
She hopes police will find his picture on her store's security tapes.
The latest fires bring to nine the total number of arsons in the neighborhood in recent weeks.
The worst was a fire on Oct. 23 that destroyed four restaurants and caused $2 million damage.
Residents worry it's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
"These aren't just buildings," said Julie Tackett, who lives in the area. "These are businesses with people that own them that we like and when I'm seeing smoke and buildings burning, I'm thinking about people not buildings."
Police area leading the arson investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-55-ARSON.
"If people see anything that's suspicious they need to let us know," Vander Houwen said.
She said firefighters have been asking area businesses to leave outside lights on and make sure no combustible materials are left near their buildings.
In the meantime, police and fire officials are holding a town hall-type meeting about the arsons on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Upper Crust Catering on Greenwood Avenue.
Fire Department spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen said two fires were set about 11 p.m. Sunday behind a commercial building in the 7700 block of Greenwood Avenue.
"(I) step out," said neighbor Charlie Estes, "and see the entire fire department and a bunch of cops and think 'Oh great, the firebug has struck again.' "
The fires caused about $1,000 damage before they were put out.
A third fire was reported by an arson patrol in the area that smelled smoke about 4 a.m. Monday. It caused about $20,000 damage to the back wall of the Olive You restaurant at 8516 Greenwood Avenue.
"We have several fire department units that are patrolling this neighborhood in the overnight hours," Vander Houwen said.
The restaurant's owner had worried the arsonist might make his area a target.
"Last night, the fire marshal came and talked to me and I was telling him, I said, 'You got to be really right around here because I know he's coming right now for us,' " said Timur Leno.
Just before 8 a.m., crews were called to another fire, this time at the Greenwood Quick Stop at 81st and Greenwood Avenue, and damage was minimal.
Investigators said someone removed a crawlspace cover and set fire to cardboard next to the building. A store customer came to the rescue when the owner discovered the smoke.
"When she opened the door smoke was coming out and she was a little panicked," said Bill Meserole. "So I ran inside to see if something inside the store was on fire."
Meserole didn't find any flames inside, so he ran outside to find the source of the smoke.
"When I went along side the building there, somebody had pulled a -- there was a rectangular wire mesh thing," he said. "Somebody had peeled that back and took a piece of cardboard and tried to light the siding on fire."
The owner said she saw a suspicious man outside right before the fire started.
"He's tall, and long hair," said Sue Kim.
She hopes police will find his picture on her store's security tapes.
The latest fires bring to nine the total number of arsons in the neighborhood in recent weeks.
The worst was a fire on Oct. 23 that destroyed four restaurants and caused $2 million damage.
Residents worry it's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
"These aren't just buildings," said Julie Tackett, who lives in the area. "These are businesses with people that own them that we like and when I'm seeing smoke and buildings burning, I'm thinking about people not buildings."
Police area leading the arson investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-55-ARSON.
"If people see anything that's suspicious they need to let us know," Vander Houwen said.
She said firefighters have been asking area businesses to leave outside lights on and make sure no combustible materials are left near their buildings.
In the meantime, police and fire officials are holding a town hall-type meeting about the arsons on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Upper Crust Catering on Greenwood Avenue.