Police seek Bellingham arsonist after 3 fires set near Goodwill

Three arsons have been set in three mornings behind a Goodwill store, according to police.

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying who has been setting the fires.

The first fire was reported at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, in a Dumpster near the donation drop-off of the Goodwill at 1115 E. Sunset Drive, said Bellingham Assistant Fire Chief Bill Hewett.

Firefighters responded to a second arson at 5:08 Thursday, in another Dumpster. And a third fire was reported at 3:25 a.m. Friday. This time someone set up debris against the building itself, and lit it on fire. By the time firefighters reached the scene a sprinkler had extinguished the flames, but it was damaged in the process.

So far most of the damage has been limited to the sprinkler, two waste disposal units that are now warped, and the garbage. Police would like it to stay that way.

Tips should be directed to Bellingham Police Detective Dan Kelsh at 360-778-8690.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Police seek Bellingham arsonist after 3 fires set near Goodwill."