Man allegedly set fire to tree next to occupied building near Lighthouse Mission
A man who previously lived in Lynden is suspected of setting a tree on fire next to an occupied building near the Lighthouse Mission Ministries in Bellingham early Wednesday. Nobody was injured and fire damage was limited to the vegetation.
Bellingham police cited Daniel Peter Mawhinney, 52, with second-degree reckless burning, took him into protective custody and transported him to St. Joseph’s hospital, Lt. Claudia Murphy reported to The Bellingham Herald in an email.
Officers responded at 2:20 a.m. March 4 to the 1200 block of F Street for the report of someone setting a tree on fire next to the building, Murphy reporting. Surveillance reportedly showed Mawhinney starting the fire.
Police contacted Mawhinney at the Lighthouse Mission parking lot next to a bench and noted he had a knife in his hand, according to Murphy. Though he initially refused to drop the knife, after several commands he complied and was placed in handcuffs without further incident.
Further investigation revealed no damage to the building, which was occupied at the time, Murphy reported.
Whatcom County Superior Court records show Mawhinney has previous felony convictions for assault and malicious mischief from 2014 and 2017.
