Ferndale arson might have had a political motive, officials say
Several hay bales set ablaze near a Ferndale house early Sunday was arson with a possible political motive, Whatcom County Republicans and Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Hay bales with the words “Trump 2020” painted on them were torched in the yard of a house near Enterprise and Grandview roads, just outside Ferndale city limits, said Kathy Kershner, chair of the Whatcom Republicans and a member of the Whatcom County Council.
Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Kevin Hester wrote in an email that a passer-by saw the fire about 1 a.m. Sunday and called 911.
“Deputies and Ferndale Police attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but the fire department had to respond to completely extinguish the fire,” Hester wrote.
Chief Larry Hoffman of Whatcom County Fire District 7 told The Bellingham Herald that the bales were the round style field hay and wrapped in plastic.
“It’s obviously reckless but there was no threat to the house,” Hoffman said.
Hester wrote that the 11 bales were worth about $500.
“The hay bales had been spray-painted with letters that spelled out “Trump 2020,” he wrote.
There are no suspects, he added.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 360-778-6600.
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 12:33 PM.
