Camas and Washougal police are asking for the public’s help in an investigation of several overnight arsons.
Washougal Detective Thad Eakins said there were three recycle bin fires between 1 and 2 a.m. Thursday near Washougal High School. The fires were contained to the bins and didn’t cause other property damage, he said.
“One of them might have ignited some hedges if it was a week ago or so, prior to all the rains,” said Ron Schumacher, fire marshal for the Camas-Washougal Fire Department.
It’s not the first time recycle-bin arsons have popped up overnight in Washougal.
Three recycle bins were set on fire in the early-morning hours of June 25. One of the bins was in front of a church, and the other two were in front of homes, Washougal Chief of Police Ron Mitchell said at the time. There was no property damage reported.
“We didn’t have any leads on that one and we don’t have any leads on this one,” Detective Eakins said.
He’s asking anyone who saw anything or has more information on the fires to call the Washougal Police Department at 360-835-8701 and ask for him.
Camas police are also investigating six garbage bin fires reported in early Thursday in the Forest Home neighborhood of Camas off Northwest 6th Avenue.
Firefighters were called out to several garbage bin fires starting around 2:20 p.m., said Camas Officer Debrah Farland. Firefighters reported seeing a late 80s or early 90s green Ford Explorer leaving the area as they arrived. The driver was described as a white male with shoulder length hair. Firefighters believe there were three teens in the car, Farland said. She said it is unclear if the vehicle is connected to the arsons.
If anyone has information on the Camas fires, they should call the police department at 834-4151.
