Ferndale man suspected of arson in home fire, then leaving and getting in car crash
Ferndale police on Saturday, June 6, arrested a man being released from the hospital after he allegedly set fire to his home two days earlier before leaving and being involved in a car crash along Slater Road.
Billy Edward Masten, 57, was booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson, and jail records show he’s being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Whatcom County Fire District 7 crews were called to a residential structure fire on Thursday in the 5500 block of Fisher Place, according to a release by the Ferndale Police Department. Firefighters requested the Whatcom County Fire Marshall and Ferndale police investigate the fire after extinguishing it, because the fire reportedly appeared suspicious in nature.
After walking the scene, the fire marshal said the fire appeared to have three different points of origin around the house, according to the release. The house also reportedly had significant damage to the interior.
Nobody was home at the time of the fire, but witnesses said Masten had left shortly before the fire was noticed, the release stated. He was involved in a crash on Slater Road and was taken to St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham for treatment.
Police received a search warrant, and with the help of the fire marshal, collected evidence. They also found that Masten, his wife and her daughter lived in the house, but due to some domestic issues, his wife and the daughter had moved out a few days before the fire, the release stated.
With the evidence, police established probable cause to arrest Masten on suspicion of arson, the release stated.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 11:57 AM.
