Arsonist may be active in Oak Harbor
By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
April 5, 2011 · Updated 4:06 PM
Oak Harbor police want residents to be on the lookout for anyone acting suspiciously with a book of matches.
Detective Sgt. Teri Gardner with the Oak Harbor Police said she’s investigating two suspicious fires in the city during the last month and she’s a little concerned about the possibility of a fire bug at work in the city.
The first suspicious fire started in the basement of the Roller Barn on the afternoon on March 6. Firefighters credited the sprinkler system with saving the landmark structure.
Then on March 24, a couple of city employees found a garbage can in the middle of Ridgewood Park, located on NE 11th Avenue, that had been completely incinerated.
“There was nothing left except residue and debris,” Gardner said.
Investigators have few leads in either case.
While the wet weather may dampen an arsonist’s activities, Gardner pointed out that summer and warm weather is just around the bend — hopefully. While she’s not sure the two fires are related, she hopes that residents will keep an eye out for suspicious activity and call 911 when necessary.
Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.Comment on this story.
So keep your comments:
- Civil
- Smart
- On-topic
- Free of profanity
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.
