Friday morning house fire considered ‘suspicious’

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of an early morning house fire that is being labeled as “suspicious.”

The house is considered a total loss. No one was injured in the blaze.

Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the 19000 block of 191 Avenue East in Bonney Lake at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday after a passer-by reported the two-story home engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were familiar with the location. In December, they were called to the same address for a car fire. A week later, they responded to a fire inside the home. It was quickly extinguished. This time, however, the house is considered a complete loss. The fire marshal estimates $160,000 in damage to the property.

Because of a collapse inside the house, firefighters were forced to battle the blaze from the exterior, making it a more difficult fire to contain. Crews stayed on the scene throughout the morning, putting out hot spots.

The resident was not home at the time of the fire, but returned in the early morning hours. Bonney Lake Police officers arrested him on scene for outstanding warrants.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though it is considered suspicious.