'Wrecked Beyond Belief': Columbia City Funeral Home Burns Down in Possible Arson Case

Fire officials are investigating possible arson after a South End staple funeral home caught fire in Columbia City on Wednesday morning, fire officials say.

Around 3:45 a.m., firefighters responded to reports of "well-involved" flames at a commercial building in the 4500 block of Rainier Avenue, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesperson David Cuerpo. The fire was put out by 5:23 a.m. No injuries were reported. 

Investigators estimate about $300,000 in damages, Cuerpo wrote.

Columbia Funeral Home and Crematory has been part of the South End community since its opening in 1907. The building at the busy intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Alaska Street has been a fixture in the Columbia City neighborhood, and many Rainier Valley residents recognize the location for the Christmas nativity scene that features a lit-up Snoopy display each year.

Services that had been scheduled on Friday and Saturday will now be held at its sister facility in Kent, Russ Weeks, president and co-owner of the funeral home and crematory, said in an interview. All other planned services will be postponed.

"We remain open for business and committed to serving local families with compassion and care, even in the face of this tragedy," the statement read. "While our historic building may be destroyed, our staff, the heart of who we are, remains available to serve."

Fire officials determined the flames were set intentionally, Cuerpo wrote.

Shortly before firefighters were called, a Seattle Department of Transportation traffic camera captured an individual walking up to the front porch of the funeral home. The suspect appeared to bend down before a small spark appeared on camera. They then walked away as the flame began to spread.

Weeks didn't get the call until about 6:30 a.m., he said.

"I look at it and I say it's wrecked beyond belief," Weeks said. But he's unsure what a professional contractor would think.

The fire and smoke damage extends through the first floor and back into the reception area, Weeks said, but did not reach the garage, preparation room, or urn room. The crematory, housed in a separate building, remained untouched by the fire but suffered minor vandalism. 

There were eight deceased individuals in the home at the time of the fire, Weeks said. Staff is contacting families of loved ones who were lost in the fire, according to the statement.

Around 4:20 a.m., firefighters responded to another fire in Mt. Baker at a residential home under construction about a mile away from the funeral home. No one was injured, and the estimated loss is $50,000, according to fire officials. 

It was unclear if the two fires were connected. The Seattle Police Department will do a follow-up investigation on both fires.

Weeks and his brother have owned the Columbia Funeral Home and Crematory building since 2008. The family owns seven other locations in Emuclaw, Tacoma, Buckley, Kent, Centralia, and Bremerton.