Greenwood arson

Greenwood Arson closure: Seattle siblings receive $18,500 for arson tip

amrook — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:46:34 +0000

amrook Tue, 10/25/2011 - 8:46am

Siblings Robert and Carol Iverson (center) receive a $18,500 check for calling in a tip that lead to the arrest of the Greenwood arsonist.

Anne-Marije Rook

On Monday, Oct 24, two years after the Greenwood arson, Seattlite Carol Iverson was presented with a $18,500 check for giving authorities information that lead to the arrest and conviction of the Greenwood Arsonist.

Between June 19 and November 12, 2009, Kevin Todd Swalwell set 10 fires in the Greenwood area causing more than 2.2 million dollars in damage. One person suffered non-life threatening burns during one of the fires.

But it wasn't until the authorities received Iverson's tip that an Arson Task Force formed between the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department, had a viable suspect.

John Lewitt, lead investigator for the Seattle Police Department Arson and Bomb Squad said the tip was instrumental in tracking the arsonist down.

"It gave us something to go on," Lewitt said.

The Arson Task Force discovered that Swalwell had been on scene at multiple fire locations.
In May 2010, Swalwell pled guilty to setting 11 fires and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Iverson knew it was Swalwell the moment she heard about the arsons.

"I knew it was him right away," she said.

Iverson was married to Swalwell from 1994 to 2000. She divorced him while he was incarcerated for setting fire to the Echo Lake apartments in 1995.

Scared that Swalwell would come after her, Iverson asked her brother to place the call.

“I’m proud of her,” he said.

The presenting of the check took place at Taproot Theatre, one of the businesses that was destroyed by the fires, and gave closure to the Greenwood Arson.

“Arsonists hurt all of us by destroying lives and property and by driving up insurance rates,” said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. “We are pleased to award citizens who come forward to help investigators solve these damaging and potentially fatal crimes. Nationally, arson kills hundreds of people each year, injures thousands and destroys hundreds of millions of dollars in property while putting firefighters at needless risk."

Citing FBI statistics, Newman said arson is a difficult crime to solve, as only 17 percent of all arson offenses result in arrests.

To encourage people to come forward, NW Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation offer an annual $10,000 Arson Award Fund for Washington residents who provide tips to authorities that result in the arrest or conviction of arsonists.

The Iversons received $3,500 from the Arson Alarm Foundation and an additional $15,000 from Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance.

Iverson and her brother did not know about the arson alarm reward when they placed the call but said they plan to use the money to pay some bills, get food for their cat, and go out to dinner.

Iverson also encouraged others to come forward.

“Don’t be afraid to do something. You got to do what’s right,” she said. "He could have killed somebody."

Greenwood arson

Ballard. Greenwood.

Ballard News Tribune

1 year after Greenwood arsons, Taproot Theatre looks back

michaelh — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:05:10 +0000

michaelh Fri, 10/15/2010 - 9:05am

One year ago, a string of arsons in Greenwood damaged or destroyed more than a dozen homes and businesses, including four in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building (seen here), which houses Taproot Theatre. CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

Michael Harthorne

With the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 23 arson that scorched the Taproot Theatre Company and destroyed four other business approaching, Taproot's leadership, board and staff are renewing their commitment to Greenwood and commemorating those affected and devastated by the string of arsons in 2009.

“We planted our roots solidly in Greenwood when we bought the early-1900s theatre 22 years," Scott Nolte, Taproot artistic director, said in a Taproot press release. "We love the vibrancy and creativity that surround us everywhere. We want the neighborhood to know that we’re here to stay, that this is where we want to be.”

Production manager Mark Lund echoed Nolte’s sentiment.

“Taproot seems as much a part of Greenwood as Greenwood seems a part of Taproot,” he said in the press release. “I’ve spent the past 19 years of my career working at Taproot and can say with confidence that the positive changes I’ve witnessed here in Greenwood over the years are at least partly due to Taproot’s presence in the neighborhood.”

The string of arsons began in summer 2009 and damaged more than a dozen neighborhood business and homes.

Many people who lived and worked in the area went about their days in fear, not knowing if and when the arsonist would strike again and if they could be next, according to the Taproot press release. This fall, on any given day, Greenwood teems with commuters, shoppers, artists and business owners going about their daily routines with a sense of normalcy, according to the press release.

The arsons ended in November 2009 when police arrested a suspect. In May, Kevin Swalwell, who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of arson, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The Green Bean Coffeehouse—one of the four businesses housed in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building until the Oct. 23 fire—has relocated to its new permanent home in the former McDonald’s building within a block of its old site, and other businesses, including Rosewood Guitar, have reopened as well.

Some scars remain, reminding people of the attacks. Some businesses were devastated and never returned, including C.C. Teriyaki, Szechuan Bistro and Pho Tic Tac, the other three businesses housed in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building.

A mural still stands at the former building’s site, serving as a constant reminder of what happened but offering an image of hope for the neighborhood’s continued recovery and rebuilding, according to the press release. Taproot Theatre is working on a plan for the site.

In the press release, Taproot thanks the countless other artists, arts organizations, businesses, foundations, firefighters and friends that made it possible for the theater to persevere and reopen.

Taproot is celebrating the past year with Taproot Uncorked, a special fundraising event featuring a presentation on wines by Patrick Anderson, owner of Greenwood’s Vineyard Wine Shop. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at The Upper Crust’s Greenwood Square. Tickets are $45 and are available online at www.taprootuncorked.com. Advanced registration is required.

Greenwood arsonist sentenced to 30 years

michaelh — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:54:31 +0000

michaelh Sat, 05/29/2010 - 8:54am

Kevin Swalwell was sentenced to 30 years in prison May 28 for setting 11 fires, including the one that damaged Rosewood Guitars, in 2009 in Greenwood.

Michael Harthorne

Kevin Swalwell was sentenced May 28 to 30 years in prison for a string arsons last year in Greenwood, according to the King County Prosecutor's Office.

Swalwell was sentenced by King County Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson at the King County Courthouse.

Prosecutors recommended 30 years in prison.

In April, Swalwell pleaded guilty to 11 counts of arson and one count of second degree burglary for his involvement in a string of fires that plagued Greenwood.

Eight counts of second degree arson, an arson in which lives were not put at risk, were leveled for a June 19 fire at the OK Corral, an Aug. 12 house fire, an Aug. 13 fire at O-Rings West, Nov. 5 fires at a Greenwood CPA office and Rosewood Guitars, a Nov. 8 fire at Moonphoto and Nov. 9 fires at Olive You and the QuickStop in Greenwood.

Three counts of first degree arson, an arson in which lives, including those of firefighters, are put at risk, were charged for an Aug. 13 house fire in which a resident was severely burned, the Oct. 23 fire at the Green Bean Coffee House that destroyed four businesses and damaged two others, and a Nov. 12 fire at a Shoreline warehouse at which Swalwell was apprehended.

Swalwell was charged with second degree burglary for unlawfully entering the Green Bean Coffee House. According to Seattle Police Department documents, Swalwell stole a safe and file cabinet from the coffeehouse.

Audiences return to Taproot Theatre

michaelh — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:08:29 +0000

michaelh Wed, 01/27/2010 - 5:08pm

On Jan. 27, audiences will be returning to the Taproot Theatre building for the first time since an October arson attack forced it to close for repairs.

Michael Harthorne

Slightly more than three months ago, a fire started at the Green Bean Coffee House burned down the Eleanor Roosevelt Building and damaged the neighboring Taproot Theatre.

Audiences will be returning to the theater at 204 N. 85th St. for the first time since the arson that necessitated its gutting when Taproot previews C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce" Jan. 27.

"It's pretty darn extraordinary," said Scott Nolte, Taproot Theatre's producing artistic director. "We're going to do a show, and it's near miraculous."

Nolte said 99.9 percent of the public areas of Taproot are complete.

The box office and concessions areas were remodeled and rearranged. Workers were pulling plastic off the theater's seats and wiping them down hours before audiences would be arriving.

The first goal was to get the theater ready to go, Nolte said. Taproot's basement still needs a lot of work and remains unused except for the dressing rooms, he said.

During the three months the Taproot Theatre building was unusable, it put on a Christmas show at North Seattle Community College and its other operations, such as the touring Road Company, continued with little disruption seen by the public.

Nolte said the resolve of the staff was amazing. No one wanted to miss a beat, he said.

The Road Company got into the building at noon after the fire to get the things it needed to put on a show that afternoon, he said.

"The staff locked arms and said, 'We will do whatever it takes,'" he said.

Nolte said he and the rest of Taproot's staff are exhausted but excited to get the theater open.

The opening weekend of "The Great Divorce" is sold out, and Taproot Theatre subscriptions are at an all-time high, Nolte said.

"The early part of 2010 has got me feeling pretty good," he said.

Taproot Theatre owned the Eleanor Roosevelt Building, which is now just a vacant lot. The theater had planned to use the building for a new theater, classrooms and costume and scene shops.

Nolte said now is not the time to start on an expensive rebuilding project, so Taproot is looking at interim options for the land that won't leave an empty hole in the middle of Greenwood.

"We're trying to think out of the box on it," he said.

In the meantime, Nolte said he is ready to be done with reconstruction for at least the next 15 years and wants to get back to the crazy day-to-day life of running a theater.

After previews Jan. 27 and Jan. 28, "The Great Divorce" officially premieres Jan. 29 and runs through Feb. 27.

Mural shows Greenwood still thrives after arson

michaelh — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:44:47 +0000

michaelh Thu, 12/31/2009 - 12:44pm

Members of the Seattle Fire Department react to the Dec. 31 unveiling of a Greenwood mural created as a tribute to the neighborhood after it suffered a series of arsons in the summer and fall. CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

Michael Harthorne

An 89-foot mural celebrating the vibrancy of Greenwood and its ability to rebound after a series of arsons this summer and fall was unveiled Dec. 31 by Taproot Theatre and Seattle Mural Art.

The mural, created by local artists John Osgood, Zachary Bohnenkamp and Kevin Sullivan, features references to the fires that destroyed four businesses in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building on North 85th Street off Greenwood Avenue North, such as a flaming phoenix and a firefighter rescuing a kitten from the nearby Cat City.

But, the mural also pays tribute to the neighborhood with a depiction of the annual Greenwood Car Show and theater masks representing the neighboring Taproot Theatre.

"Hopefully this just makes people smile and remember what a great neighborhood we have," Scott Nolte, Taproot Theatre's producing artistic director, told the crowd at the unveiling.

Steve Giliberto, president of the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce, said the mural is perfect for a quiet, occasionally overlooked neighborhood like Greenwood.

"I'm very proud and very, very elated by it," Giliberto said. "It's as loud a statement as a community can make that you can kick us but we won't stay down."

The mural covers what is now a vacant space where Green Bean Coffee House, Szechuan Bistro, C.C. Teriyaki and Pho Tic Tac operated until an Oct. 23 arson destroyed all four businesses and damaged Taproot Theatre and Greenwood Academy of Hair.

Kevin Swalwell has been charged with first degree arson for the fires.

Employees at Green Bean Coffee House, now operating out of Greenwood Sip and Ship, were at the mural's debut, giving out coffee to members of the crowd, who said the mural really tells a story about the neighborhood and is much better than just a chain link fence surrounding a hole in the ground.

John Huddleston at Neptune Coffee around the corner from the mural snuck a peak at it the day before it officially premiered and said he thought it looked great.

Jessica Silvers at Sweet On You across the street said the mural will be good for the community and raise its spirits after the arson.

Gary Masters at Greenwood Optical across the street from the mural said he is amazed it doesn't also have to cover a hole where Taproot Theatre stands. He said he commends the Seattle Fire Department for working quickly and saving Taproot.

Taproot Theatre will be moving back into its Greenwood playhouse, starting with the premiere of "The Great Divorce" Jan. 29.

“Opening our 34th season would be exciting enough, but this one is extra special,” director Scott Nolte said in a press release. “After everything that’s happened, everything we’ve been through these past months, I’m thrilled to be marking this new period in Taproot Theatre’s history with a premiere of C.S. Lewis’ fictional masterpiece.”

Mural created as memorial for Greenwood arson damage

michaelh — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:11:12 +0000

michaelh Tue, 12/15/2009 - 10:11am

Kevin "Sensei23" Sullivan of Seattle Mural Art works on a mural commissioned by Taproot Theatre Company to be installed at the site of the Oct. 23 Greenwood arson attack. CLICK IMAGE FOR ANOTHER VIEW OF THE MURAL.

Daytona Strong/Taproot Theatre

Artists from Seattle Mural Art, an affiliate of Greenwood’s Bherd Studios, are creating an 89-foot by 8-foot mural to commemorate the businesses damaged and destroyed by the string of arsons this past summer and fall.

The mural will be installed on the temporary wall along North 85th Street where the Eleanor Roosevelt Building once stood.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Building, which Taproot Theatre rented out to four businesses, was destroyed in the Oct. 23 arson.

Concerned about leaving a hole in the core of the Greenwood business district, and seeing an opportunity to facilitate more art in Greenwood, Taproot Theatre Company commissioned the mural.

“Downtown Greenwood is full of entrepreneurs who have put their all into making this such a thriving business district, full of creativity and artistry,” Scott Nolte, Taproot Theatre’s producing artistic director, said in a press release. “While we’re working on a long-term plan for the property, we want to give back to our community by creating something of beauty for them, something to remind them that this is a special place to live and work.”

In the weeks after the fire, Nolte asked Taproot Theatre’s facilities manager, Marty Gordon, who is also an artist, to look into the possibility of installing a mural.

Gordon immediately thought of John Osgood, owner of Bherd Studios and a co-founder of the Art Up Greenwood-Phinney Second Friday Art Walk.

Capturing Greenwood’s resilience and the assurance that the community will rebound, the mural’s centerpiece is a phoenix rising from the flames.

The mural also depicts firefighters’ rescue of the cats at the nearby Cat City the morning of the fire, Taproot Theatre Company, icons of the neighborhood, such as the Greenwood Car Show and the art walk, and more.

The mural, being created offsite by John Osgood, Zachary Bohnenkamp and Kevin "Sensei23" Sullivan, will be installed soon.

Suspect in Greenwood fires charged with 11 counts of arson

michaelh — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:29:19 +0000

michaelh Tue, 11/17/2009 - 3:29pm

According to Seattle Police Department documents, the fire that caused this damage at Rosewood Guitars was caused when Kevin Swalwell lit a bag of free clothes from a thrift store on fire.

Michael Harthorne

Kevin Swalwell has been charged with 11 counts of arson and one count of burglary for his alleged involvement in a string of fires that have plagued Greenwood since August, according to documents from the King County Prosecutor's Office.

Eight counts of second degree arson, an arson in which lives were not put at risk, have been leveled for a June 19 fire at the OK Corral, an Aug. 12 house fire, an Aug. 13 fire at O-Rings West, Nov. 5 fires at a Greenwood CPA office and Rosewood Guitars, a Nov. 8 fire at Moonphoto and Nov. 9 fires at Olive You and the QuickStop in Greenwood.

Three counts of first degree arson, an arson in which lives, including those of firefighters, are put at risk, haven been charged for an Aug. 13 house fire in which a resident was severely burned, the Oct. 23 fire at the Green Bean Coffee House that destroyed four businesses and damaged two others, and the Nov. 12 fire at a Shoreline warehouse at which Swalwell was apprehended.

Swalwell has been charged with second degree burglary for unlawfully entering the Green Bean Coffee House. According to Seattle Police Department documents, Swalwell stole a safe and file cabinet from the coffeehouse.

According to Police Department documents, Swalwell was arrested after the Nov. 12 fire based on forensic evidence, witness statements and his presence in the vicinity of at least four of the fires.

Swalwell has admitted responsibility for all 11 of the fires, according to police documents.

According to police documents, his descriptions of how he started the fires – pushing lit cardboard through a mail slot at O-Rings West, using lighter fluid on recycle containers next to a house, setting a bag of free clothing on fire at Rosewood Guitars – match with the findings of Fire Department investigators.

Swalwell's fingerprints were found on a can of lighter fluid near the Aug. 13 house fire, according to police documents.

According to documents, he gave a false name to police officers near the Moonphoto fire and was seen on security cameras smoking near Olive You minutes before the fire.

Swalwell was able to lead police to the missing Green Bean safe and file cabinet, according to documents.

According to the King County Prosecutor's Office, the charges against Swalwell carry a standard sentence range of 108 months to 144 months in prison. Prosecutors intend to seek a sentence above the standard range, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

Swalwell is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 1.

Bail has been set at $1 million.

UPDATE: Suspect in Greenwood arsons identified

michaelh — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:29:22 +0000

michaelh Fri, 11/13/2009 - 3:29pm

Police are questioning a person of interest in regards to a string of arsons, such as the one that destroyed these businesses Oct. 23, that have plagued Greenwood.

Michael Harthorne

The Seattle Police Department have a person of interest in custody this morning that they believe is related to a number of the recent arsons in the Greenwood neighborhood, Police Department spokesperson Renee Witt said.

The individual was apprehended at 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 13 near a warehouse fire at 158th Street North and Aurora in Shoreline.

The police do not have reason to believe the person of interest was involved in the Shoreline fire, Witt said.

Police are currently questioning the person of interest to determine his or her level of involvement in the string of 14 arsons that have occurred in the Greenwood area since June, Witt said.

The Police Department will be releasing further information later today.

UPDATE:

The suspect apprehended early Nov. 13 near the Shoreline fire is Kevin Todd Swalwell, a 46-year-old male, according to the Seattle Police Department. He has since been taken into custody.

According to police, he was interviewed by detectives and booked into the King County Jail for investigation of arson.

“This is great news for everyone concerned," Seattle Police Chief John Diaz said at a Nov. 13 press conference. "I’m confident that the community will be able to rest easier now."

Detectives believe that this individual may be responsible for some, if not all, of the Greenwood Arsons, according to police.

Detectives are uncertain whether or not any additional suspects are connected to these crimes, according to the police.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Arson Patrols will continue until detectives are confident that these cases have been resolved.

Anyone with information regarding the Greenwood arsons is asked to call the tip line at 1-800-55-ARSON.

Hundreds turn out for arson meeting

michaelh — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:08:12 +0000

michaelh Tue, 11/10/2009 - 9:08pm

Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh addresses the hundreds of Greenwood residents at a Nov. 10 meeting regarding the string of arsons that has damaged 11 businesses since Oct. 23.

Michael Harthorne

Seemingly all of Greenwood turned out for the Nov. 10 meeting hosted by the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Police Department to answer questions about the string of arsons plaguing the neighborhood.

Hundreds of residents packed the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church's basement, spilling out into the foyer and the upstairs sanctuary.

Seattle Fire Marshal John Nelson opened the meeting by saying he was as nervous about the over-capacity crowd crammed into the church as about the meeting's topic.

"In order to get as many people in here as possible, I'm stretching my comfort level," he said.

Assistant Fire Chief Alan Vickery, a Greenwood resident, told the crowed that there have been 14 non-accidental fires, most of them damaging businesses, in the Greenwood area since June.

The most recent fires have damaged 11 businesses since Oct. 23.

The police and fire department have teamed up and requested assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to solve the recent arson attacks, Vickery said.

He said the Seattle Fire Department takes arson seriously because it has lost six firefighters to arson over the past 20 years.

If even an odor of smoke is detected, multiple fire engines will be dispatched to investigate, Vickery said.

He said neighbors should call 911 if they see anything suspicious and remove all combustible material from around their homes and businesses.

Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh of the Seattle Police Department seconded the importance of the public sharing information with the authorities.

He said arsons are difficult to investigate because any evidence is often destroyed in the fire.

Tips from the public allowed the police to make an arrest in the investigation into the murder of Officer Timothy Brenton in the past week and could make the difference in this investigation, McDonagh said.

"You know what's normal for your neighborhood," he said. "If you see something out of place, call 911."

Nelson said the Mayor's Office is working with Seattle Public Utilities to remove combustible material near buildings.

"It really doesn't take more than a handful of paper or cardboard to cause major damage," he said.

The police and fire departments are conducting regular arson patrols, both visible and undercover, and the city can be called about safety concerns, such as a build up of trash near a building or burnt out street lights.

But, representatives of both departments took every opportunity during the public's questions to urge the the neighborhood to work together.

"We have an obligation to help each other," Vickery said. "Help your neighbor, and work within your community."

The police would not release any information, such as evidence, leads or a suspect profile, pertaining to the investigation when questioned by meeting attendees.

The most recent fires caused damage to three businesses late Nov. 8 and early Nov. 9.

Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors are conducting three walks to patrol the neighborhood that residents may sign up for.

The first walk will start at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Greenwood Fire Station, located at 7304 Greenwood Ave. N.

The second walk starts at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Greenwood Park, located at North 87th Street and Fremont Avenue North.

The third walk is at 2 p.m. Nov. 21 beginning in the parking lot behind Olive You.

A Fire Relief Fund has been set up at the Greenwood Chase branch.

Anyone with information about the arsons is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline (800-55-ARSON) or local authorities.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist is now at $25,000 after Taproot Theatre, one of the damaged businesses, added $15,000 to the $10,000 being offered by the NW Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation.

More fires damage Greenwood businesses

michaelh — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:15:48 +0000

michaelh Mon, 11/09/2009 - 2:15pm

Community meeting and walks scheduled

The back of Olive You on Greenwood Avenue has been temporarily patched with plywood after a Nov. 9 fire caused $20,000 of damage.

Michael Harthorne

Three more fires caused by arson broke out late Nov. 8 and early Nov. 9 in Greenwood, damaging three businesses.

All three fires were set intentionally on the exterior of the buildings, Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen said. At this point, the department cannot say if the fires were set by the same person responsible for a number of arson attacks in the past month.

The first fire occurred at approximately 11 p.m. Nov. 8 behind Moonphoto, located at 7708 Greenwood Ave. N. It caused $1,000 in damage.

The second fire was spotted by an arson patrol at approximately 4 a.m. Nov. 9 behind Olive You, located at 8516 Greenwood Ave. N. The fire caused $20,000 of damage to the rear wall and electrical panels.

The final fire happened at approximately 7:40 a.m. behind the Quickstop located at 8102 Greenwood Ave. N.

Greenwood has been plagued by arson attacks in the past weeks.

Fire caused damage to an attorney's office and Rosewood Guitars early on Nov. 5. On Oct. 23, fire destroyed four businesses – Green Bean Coffee House, Szechuan Bistro, C.C. Teriyaki and Pho Tic Tac – while damaging the Taproot Theatre and Greenwood Academy of Hair.

Vander Houwen said the Fire Department is encouraging residents and business owners to not leave combustible materials near their homes and buildings and to make sure their smoke alarms are working.

The Fire Department is conducting arson patrols in the neighborhood.

There will be a community meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, located at 7500 Greenwood Ave. N., to discuss the fires. The Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department and neighborhood organizations will be present.

Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors are conducting three walks to patrol the neighborhood that residents may sign up for.

The first walk will start at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Greenwood Fire Station, located at 7304 Greenwood Ave. N.

The second walk starts at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Greenwood Park, located at North 87th Street and Fremont Avenue North.

The third walk is at 2 p.m. Nov. 21 beginning in the parking lot behind Olive You.

A Fire Relief Fund has been set up at the Greenwood Chase branch.

The NW Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation are offering a $10,000 award fund to anyone who has information that helps investigators track down the arsonist(s) responsible for setting the fires.

Anyone with information about the arsons is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline (800-55-ARSON) or local authorities