Fire officials say a two-alarm blaze that destroyed an under-construction apartment building early Wednesday morning in Vancouver was an arson.
Firefighters responded to the scene of the fire, in a 12-unit building at 4721 N.E. 66th Ave., at about 2:40 a.m.
Responding crews saw the glow of the flames as they approached and increased the fire response, Vancouver Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Willis said.
Willis said the building had no fire protection — no sheet rock, no siding and no fire alarm. Crews put water on the flames in an attempt to keep them from spreading to nearby fir trees and other under-construction units.
“When you get a fire at an under-construction building like this, there’s really no saving the building itself,” Willis said. “The tactic we use is to surround it with hose line and protect the exposures.”
Crews remained on scene throughout the morning, dousing hot spots as the rubble smoldered and smoked.
Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said the blaze has been ruled an arson and estimated the damaged at $300,000.
Vancouver Police Department Officer Ilia Botvinnik said graffiti found at the scene has led investigators to believe juveniles were involved. Officers planned to canvass the area over the next few days to see if any nearby residents might know anything, Botvinnik said.
Investigators are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.
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