Arson Suspected In Seattle Apartment Fire That Injured 3: SFD

SEATTLE — Seattle fire investigators believe a fire that injured three people inside a Belltown apartment building Thursday morning was the result of arson. According to the Seattle Fire Department, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and flames from the lobby of Bell Tower just after 2:40 a.m.

The first engines to arrive confirmed a working fire on the first floor and worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters found a 50-year-old man in the lobby's bathroom with critical injuries and medics rushed him to Harborview Medical Center, officials said. Two other people were treated for minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.

Seattle Fire said extinguishing the flames took about 45 minutes and the response required residents on multiple floors to evacuate, and a King County Metro bus was dispatched to help provide shelter and warmth. Residents were able to return to the building within a few hours.

In an update shared Thursday afternoon, investigators said the fire appeared to be internally set and called in the Seattle Police Department's Arson Bomb Squad to help investigate.

The Arson Alarm Foundation is offering a cash reward from its $10,000 fund to anyone with information that helps lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-55-ARSON or by emailing Seattle Fire.