Suspicious fires set in Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla Fire Department crews responded to four fire incidents in the same general area of the city over 24 hours from August 4 to 5, 2024.

At 10:32 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2024, crews from Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 were dispatched to the area of W. Pine Street and Cayuse Street, adjacent to the eastbound lane of Highway 12, for a natural cover fire. Crews from Walla Walla County Fire District 4 also responded as part of a mutual-aid agreement.

The first unit arrived to find an estimated quarter-mile fire line south of the highway. The fire appeared to have originated at multiple places. By 11 p.m., firefighters had the fire under control and spent the next hour doing mop-up work to ensure it was extinguished.

On Monday, August 5, at 1:30 a.m., the Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 crews were dispatched to North 12th Avenue between Paine Street and Moore Street for a report of explosions and flames.

The 50-by-100-foot fire was inside a fenced enclosure and, like the first fire, appeared to have originated at multiple places within the enclosure. By 1:45 a.m., firefighters had the fire under control.

The fire burned several vehicles and car parts. The estimated value loss is $10,000 to $15,000.

The WWFS 1 and 2 crews were dispatched back to the fenced enclosure at 7:15 a.m. that morning for a reported structure fire.

The first unit arrived to find a semi-trailer used to store car parts had apparently been set on fire. Firefighters had the fire under control by 8 a.m.

About three hours later, at 10:23 a.m. on August 5, the crews from WWFS 1 and 2 were dispatched to the area of Pine and Cayuse Streets, which was the location of the fire on August 4.

Firefighters had the fire under control by 10:40 a.m., which appeared to be an attempt to rekindle the earlier fire.

The causes of the fires are unknown, but they are highly suspicious. The Walla Walla Fire Department is asking residents in the area to be vigilant and call Dispatch at (509) 527-1960 if they see anything suspicious or out of place.