A detective’s report on a former Whidbey man who allegedly started a fire that caused millions of dollars in damages to Friday Harbor businesses offers few clues to a possible motive.

Dwight Henline made a preliminary appearance in San Juan County Superior Court April 20. The judge found probable cause existed to believe he committed the crime of arson in the first degree and set his bail at $500,000.

The report by a detective with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office states that a citizen reported a fire at the Crystal Seas Kayaking Building in Friday Harbor early in the morning of April 7. Firefighters spent hours battling the blaze, which spread to several other buildings.

The fire was dangerous for firefighters because of risk of building collapse, heated propane tanks, attic spaces on fire and exposed electrical wire, the report states.

Due to the millions of dollars in losses, 20 members of the ATF National Response team and 10 others from the ATF Seattle Field Division helped to investigate the fire. The ATF investigators found that the fire was incendiary, meaning it was willfully set.

Surveillance video showed a flash of light on the wooded deck of the Crystal Seas building that was determined to be “ignitable liquid” being ignited. The burst of flame was about five hours before firefighters were called to the structure fire. The report states that it is not unusual for a fire caused by ignitable liquid to smolder for hours being flaring up again.

Video from several businesses showed Henline was in the area earlier in the day and that he purchased a bottle of lighter fluid from a local business, the report states. A subject matching his description was seen in the area just after the fire was set; he then boarded a ferry to Anacortes, the report states.

The detective and an ATF special agent contacted Henline’s family member near Oak Harbor, who said Henline told her he was “done with Friday Harbor.” Henline then went to stay with another family member near Langley.

The investigators called Henline, who denied starting the fire or purchasing lighter fluid.

On April 15, investigators served a search warrant on the Langley residence and collected numerous items, including a “mostly-empty bottle of lighter fluid” and several lighters.

On April 16, a judge issued a warrant for Henline’s arrest. A Langley police officer spotted him at the Star Store and arrested him.