Yukon Harbor blaze ruled arson

A fire that destroyed a South Kitsap home Saturday morning has officially been declared arson, according to the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office.

“We believe it to be an arson fire,” said Fire Marshal David Lynam, explaining that the determination was based on evidence gathered at the scene on Yukon Harbor Drive and the statements provided by witnesses and firefighters.

The single-family home at 1958 Yukon Harbor Drive was first reported to be on fire at 10:39 a.m. Sept. 8, according to Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson.

Wilson said the fire — which South Kitsap Fire and Rescue officials estimated to have caused $350,000 worth of damage — was quickly considered “suspicious” by those who responded.

He said no people or pets were injured in the fire, but the home was “totally destroyed.”

Wilson said at the time of the initial investigation, deputies could not locate the homeowners, but has as of late Monday.

“The owners of the residence were out-of-state and not immediately accessible via cell phone,” he said. “They have since returned to Washington and have been interviewed by investigators.”

Lynam said Wednesday that his office had “spent the past two days digging through the remains of the scene,” and currently his staff is following up on leads.

“But our investigation isn’t over, and we are really hoping that there is somebody that can help us,” Lynam said, explaining that anyone who saw or heard anything that may be related to the fire is asked to call his office.

“Anybody who knows anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem,” Lynam said, explaining that often good information can come from people who had no idea how important it was. “Give us a call; it might be insignificant, but it might not.”

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Kitsap County Fire Marshal and Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information can call the fire marshal at 337-7181, or Det. Steve Duckworth at 337-5669.

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