MARYSVILLE — After fire struck two homes in the 3900 block of 79th Avenue NE, city police arrested an Edmonds man, 20, on suspicion of arson, according to Snohomish County Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Makela.
Because the man had not been formally charged early July 7 prior to The Globe deadlines for this issue, Makela declined to release the suspect’s identification. He did say the man was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries possibly related to the fires. The suspect was then booked into Marysville jail and eventually, Snohomish County Jail.
Makela added he expected the man to be formally charged with second degree arson sometime July 7.
The fires struck about 3 a.m. July 5, according to Marysville Fire District Public Information Officer Stephanie Price. First on the scene, Lake Stevens firefighters discovered flames in two residential structures. According to Price, one home was fully engulfed when emergency personnel arrived. The other had suffered what Price described as minor exterior damage.
Firefighters had to connect some 800 feet of hose to run water to the scene of the fire from the nearest fire hydrant. Price said crews worked defensively to extinguish the primary blaze. About 300 feet south, additional firefighters used fire extinguishers to put out a much smaller fire in the second residential structure.
Neighbors reported they saw smoke and flames coming from the area, then called 911.
Though the fire occurred in Marysville, Lake Stevens personnel were the first on the scene as the Marysville Fire District contracts with Lake Stevens for coverage in the newly annexed Whiskey Ridge area. That will change when the local fire district completes its new Sunnyside Fire Station, scheduled to be in operation in October. The Marysville Fire District did provide mutual aid at the scene of the weekend blazes.
No damage estimate was available as of July 7. Price said the two homes appeared to be vacant, possibly scheduled for demolition. Marysville police detectives along with the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the fire.
