SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Police Department is currently investigating a series of suspected arson fires across the city, with no injuries reported so far. Authorities are urging anyone with surveillance footage that might contain suspicious activity to contact Crime Check at 509-456-2233.
We drove around the locations where fire crews responded and spoke with individuals nearby. AJ Johnson, the manager of The Great PNW, expressed his concerns about the fires. His business sits across from My Fresh Basket, where a suspected arsonist set fire to the front doors.
“I feel terrified that fires could happen this close to us and people would just, you know, go out of their way to do something this horrible,” said Johnson.
He emphasized the risks involved, “Clothing or accessories, lots of fixtures, expensive vehicles that are in the store. The wood could have caught flames and then there’s apartments and such above us.”
Josiah Miller, a regular at My Fresh Basket, shared his feelings about the fires.
“Sad. You know, I love my fresh basket. I work really closely with them. I love everybody in there. And I know that they’re integral in the community,” he said.
The fires have raised concerns especially during peak fire season.
Miller highlighted the challenges, “With an area that’s prone to fires, it makes it only worse with people going out there and starting them too, you know, especially in this area, if you start a fire, it’s hard, hard to get it to stop.”
Authorities are working to identify the motive and the person responsible for these incidents. The fires were reported at various locations including an electric vehicle charging station at WSU and structures near 3rd Ave and My Fresh Basket.
