The old B&B houses were slated for demolition and are being torn down this week (Image: @pepper_mental via Twitter)
With little evidence and limited witness information to go on, Seattle Police’s arson and bomb squad detectives have asked for help from the public about the fire started inside a former E John bed and breakfast just days from demolition.
Last week’s early Friday morning fire damaged one of a set of old twin houses in the 1100 block of E John that were slated to be torn down to make way for a new apartment project with 47 “small & efficient residential units.”
The demolition began Tuesday.
There were no injuries in the fire and the blaze damaged only a structure slated to be destroyed. But police are asking anybody who may have seen “people running from the home just before the blaze started” to call detectives at (206) 684-8980.
While it is possible the fire was set intentionally, other causes of fires in vacant structures in the area have been improvised electrical set-ups, cooking or fires for warmth, and smoking or drug use. UPDATE 10/9/2014: SPD says there is currently no evidence that indicates the fire was intentionally set.
I’ll miss those cheery little houses. They were so quant and provided pops much needed color and charm.
You mean they don’t know if an accelerant was used to start that fire? And they tore the building [and evidence] down without knowing for sure? I think that fire burned pretty damned hot to be an accidental fire and I’d sure feel better if SFD and SPD knew for sure. Geezus…
I drove by the houses earlier and the arson house is still standing. Perhaps they are concluding the investigation before taking it down.