Reward being offered as police hope to nab restaurant arsonist

Published 3:46 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009

By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald

Enumclaw fire investigators have determined a December fire - which caused an estimated $600,000 in damage to a local restaurant - was intentionally set.

Anyone with information that helps solve the mystery could find themselves $10,000 richer. That's the reward being offered by the Arson Alarm Foundation, a non-profit group that works in conjunction with the Washington Insurance Council.

Investigators have ruled that Pard's Place, on Enumclaw's eastern edge at 1324 Roosevelt Ave., was intentionally set ablaze about 7:15 p.m. Dec. 4. Further, they believe someone might know who was responsible.

"Police and fire investigators are confident there is someone out there who has information about this fire and will be able to help us bring those responsible to justice," said Randy Fehr, an investigator with the Enumclaw Fire Department.

Fehr said Enumclaw police are now the lead agency, having taken over once arson was determined. He said it took just a day or so to conclude the blaze was intentionally set.

Fehr said the arson determination was based on irregular burn patterns on the floor, a lack of electricity (power had been out due to a wind storm) and no indication an explosion took place, which would have been consistent with a natural gas blaze.

Anyone with information about the restaurant fire is encouraged to call the arson hotline at 800-55-ARSON. Callers may remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward. Also, anyone with a tip can dial Fehr's direct line at the Enumclaw station, 360-615-5756.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald