Fire Ignited, Hostages Released In Issaquah Standoff

ISSAQUAH, WA — A fire is burning Sunday afternoon at the house in which an armed 28-year-old man took four people hostage before releasing them after an hourslong standoff, police said.

It wasn't clear what caused the fire, authorities said, but the suspect still appeared to be inside. Police shut off power at all houses near the home, on the 5200 block of Isola Place NW, in order to put out the fire.

The four people, including two small children, were safely released from the home, while the suspect remained barricaded inside, Issaquah police said Sunday morning.

Police responded shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday to the home after getting a suspicious circumstance call. A 28-year-old white man, a relative of the resident, had entered the home, armed with a handgun, and took the resident, her fiancé and her 8- and 5-year-old children hostage, police said.

The children and fiancé were released safely after five and a half hours of negotiations, and the resident had been released by 10:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

The suspect was still barricaded inside, according to Issaquah police, who have shared ongoing updates on Twitter. Multiple agencies including a King County SWAT team have also responded.

This developing story will be updated.

URGENT UPDATE!!
For the purpose of putting out the fire at the house with barricaded subject, Puget Sound Energy must shut power off to ALL houses in the neighborhood. Apologies for the inconvenience. It is unclear yet what caused the fire, updates to follow...
— Issaquah Police (@IssaquahPolice) February 16, 2020