Investigators have concluded that at least five fires in Southeast Seattle, including one to the Columbia City Funeral Home, were intentionally set over 13 days this summer, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kristen Hanson.
As of Aug. 5, no one has been arrested in any of the cases, Det. Bryan Pritchard said. Pritchard confirmed Seattle Police Arson and Bomb Squad is investigating.
Arson Alarm Foundation (AAF), a nonprofit funded by insurers, is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest or conviction for intentionally set fires in Washington state, including the recent cases in Southeast Seattle. Rewards typically range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the extent of the fire damage and the value of the reported tips, Northwest Insurance Council President and AAF spokesperson Kenton Brine said. AAF has awarded more than $100,000 to community members for their anonymous tips since 2000.
“If you see something, say something,” Brine said. “If there's something strange going on in the alleyway in the middle of the night, and it doesn't seem normal, it's a good idea to call the police and report that. If you have direct information about how a fire started, [then] you are in line for a possible reward.”
Recent fires determined to be arson in Southeast Seattle include:
On July 26, a fire was set in a home under construction on the 2000 block of Nineteenth Avenue South.
On July 30, at approximately 3:45 a.m., an individual was recorded on a traffic camera setting fire to the front porch of the Columbia City Funeral Home, on the corner of Rainier Avenue South and South Alaska Street. Owner Russ Weeks said the damage extended through the first floor and reception area. Fire officials estimated about $300,000 in damages.
Less than an hour later on July 30, at approximately 4:20 a.m., firefighters responded to another fire on the 3300 block of South Hanford Street at a residential home under construction, about a mile away from the funeral home.
Later that morning on July 30, at approximately 6:40 a.m., a fence was also set on fire in a residential neighborhood on the 3300 block of South Hanford Street.
On Aug. 4, a car went up in flames near the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and Twenty-third Avenue South.
The causes of two other fires remain undetermined by investigators, but they were deemed “suspicious” because of a lack of ignition source, Hanson wrote. One fire on July 23 at Mount Baker Bathhouse at Mount Baker Park caused major damages, causing the bathhouse to close; a second fire burned a detached garage and living area above it on SeventeenthAvenue South on Beacon Hill on July 31.
Compared to other months this year, July saw the highest number of arson cases at 19, according to the Crime Dashboard. In 2025, there have been 83 reported cases of arson in Seattle so far, compared to 157 cases in 2024. The South End has been the site of 17 of these fires.
In his work, Brine has seen an increase in arson cases since the pandemic began in 2020. Brine said the reasons arsonists commit these crimes are “as varied as the fires themselves,” but there are ways for home and business owners to take preventative measures.
“Your car is much more likely to be stolen if the doors are unlocked,” Brine said. “So if you've got areas around your home where there are obvious and easily obtainable things to ignite … those are going to be tempting to an arsonist just because it's easier to get that started.”
People can anonymously report suspicious fire activity by calling the AAF hotline (1-800-664-4942) or submitting a tip on their website, providing information that can help:
Identify suspicious activity or individuals near fire scenes
Document timelines (for example, the time when smoke or flames appeared)
Provide evidence, such as video footage, vehicle descriptions, or witness accounts
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