A suspect in the Chelan Hills Fire, which destroyed homes, killed one person and caused evacuations, was arrested in Kent Wednesday.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. — The suspect accused of starting the Chelan Hills Fire was arrested in Kent Wednesday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said the suspect, an 18-year-old, is being transported to the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, where authorities expected the person to be booked on charges of first-degree arson, manslaughter, malicious mischief and third-degree assault.
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Caille said detectives had continued investigating the fire since it began July 4.
“This is our primary suspect,” Caille said, adding that he is “beyond excited that we are able to bring this to the community — our detectives have not let up since the Fourth of July when this first started.”
The sheriff’s office said it plans to identify the suspect later Wednesday and will provide additional information during an 11 a.m. Thursday news conference.
The Chelan Hills Fire began shortly after midnight July 4 near Orondo and burned about 9,800 acres. More than 500 people were evacuated, and more than 100 structures were damaged or destroyed, including dozens of homes. One person was killed.
Investigators previously determined the fire was human-caused and were treating its origin as a criminal investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates