The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – Arson has been ruled out in four of the five suspicious fires here between June 28 and July 22, according to incident reports released by Columbia County Fire Marshal Kim Lyonnais on Monday.

"But all of the cases are going to remain open," Lyonnais said. "We hope that eventually a witness hears some kids bragging or overhears something else that gives us a lead." Each report that discounts arson includes the language "at this time."

The marshal's office was not called to investigate one of the fires – a brush fire along the Touchet River dike behind the city's wastewater treatment plant on July 15. That fire is still under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

A press release by Chief Deputy Joe Helm last week stated the grass fire did not appear to be arson, but his office is still soliciting information. Its cause remains unknown.

The other four cases were structure fires. Each appeared suspicious, but Lyonnais has determined that faulty wiring was the cause in two. And while one appeared to be human-caused, it was unlikely arson. The fourth fire is still an open book – no cause and very little information listed in the report. Lyonnais stated that of the four fires, the one that closed down the county dump on July 17 was the most suspicious in his opinion.

Walla Walla fire investigators were called in to assist on two of the house fires. Lyonnais has not received their reports yet, he said Monday.

The most suspicious element to all five fires was their frequency. Five fires in Dayton in a month? Citizens have been worried. They don't believe it's a coincidence. Lyonnais said he felt that way as well.

"I was wondering what was going on, too," he said. "I was afraid to go to sleep, thinking 'Am I going to get called out again?'"

Lyonnais, who was appointed fire marshal in March, was previously the fire marshal for the county for 15 years between 1986 and 2000. "I think in all that time, I had three structure fires to investigate," he said. He's investigated a half dozen just this year, including the four recently.

For a while, the fire district and citizens were on high alert. "We were all getting pretty heavy into watching for it and responding as fast as we could," Lyonnais said. Although the majority of his reports deemed the fires unintentional, he doesn't recommend that the community fall back into complacency.

"I would like to say that everybody can rest assured; that it was all just a coincidence," he said. "But on the other hand, we can't be naïve. We need to stay on our toes. And if you see anything suspicious, report it."

Any information should be reported to the sheriff's office at (509) 382-2518. Lyonnais, who is also the fire marshal for the city of Dayton, will discuss his findings with county commissioners in their regular, open board meeting this week. He was also asked to speak with Dayton City Council; that presentation will take place during the council's regular session next Monday, Aug.10, at 7 p.m. in city hall.

Fire Marshal's Investigation: At a Glance

*Fire on July 29 at 203 E. Washington Ave. that destroyed the derelict home and spread to 205 E. Washington, severely damaging that home. Considered highly likely to be human-caused. The fire marshal's report states that because of the water and fire damage, it was impossible to investigate on the night of the fire. He left and returned at daylight. At that time, he was approached by a young boy who said his "ex" had called him the night before and told him that she and some friends were sneaking out and asked him to meet them at the abandoned home, where the fire later originated. He said he did not meet with them but was sure the others had gone. That information was given to the sheriff's office. The marshal's office could not find a cause of this fire – the derelict house did not have electricity or other utilities. "The fire was most likely accidental," the report reads. "To sift through the debris and search for a source would have been extremely difficult and costly."

*House fire at 119 E. Commercial St., in the early morning hours of July 15, rendering the home a complete loss. Fire burned most heavily on the eastern first and second floors. Building was unoccupied at the time, "and the consensus was it had potential to be arson," the report reads. Firefighter Tom Thompson from the Walla Walla City Fire Department assisted in the investigation. After removing debris, looking at the fire patterns and all other information uncovered, it was agreed that the fire was most likely not arson but rather faulty wiring.

*Fire at the Columbia County Transfer Station (dump) at 500 S. Cottonwood St., in the early morning hours of July 17, rendering the facility useless until further notice. Fire marshal states the fire clearly originated in the semi-truck trailer loaded with garbage and parked under the main facility building. Because the trailer was filled with garbage – items unknown – the marshal decided that "sifting through the burnt material would not be advantageous," and so the rig was dismantled. He mentioned "suspicious voices in the weeds" in his report, but stated this information was given to the sheriff's office with no further explanation. He reported that no accelerants were found on the scene. His conclusion: "Reports pending, under investigation."

*Fire completely destroying a newly built home on Bowman Hill, at 226 Lower Hogeye Rd., on the evening of July 22. Fire marshal determined, through evidence at the scene when he arrived just after it was reported and from witness information, that the fire started in the garage. The house was close to being issued a certificate of occupancy. Walla Walla fire investigators were also called in to investigate. The marshal's office determined that "the electrical panel in the mud room had been energized and had arcing inside the panel and the wiring throughout the garage. Both the contractor and home owner stated that this panel was not supposed to be in service and had not been inspected by the state inspector." His conclusion: "Investigation supports negligence in electrical wiring."