Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of arson after Barkley apartment complex fire
A 53-year-old Bellingham man has been arrested after allegedly setting his apartment on fire.
Bellingham Police Department officers were called to the 1400 block of E. Sunset Drive in Bellingham’s Barkley neighborhood on Saturday at 5:27 p.m. for an arson investigation. She said witnesses were in the parking lot when they noticed smoke coming from an apartment and went inside, fearing someone was there.
The witnesses noticed flames, smoke and “numerous things” on fire in the center of the apartment, Murphy said. They put it out with water and fire extinguishers, and the Bellingham Fire Department ensured it was completely out.
No one was inside the apartment, but the 53-year-old was identified as the resident. Murphy said he was seen on surveillance cameras leaving the apartment while looking around just before smoke was noticed. He was seen hiding behind a nearby garbage can before fleeing the area.
The fire department determined that the fire appeared to be set intentionally by lighting a pile of flammable material in the middle of the living room area. There were several residents inside the complex when the fire was set, and it did about $5,000 in damage.
The 53-year-old was found by police and taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree arson and second-degree malicious mischief. He remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail as of Monday afternoon. He has yet to be formally charged.