Arson Fire - Crystal River Ranch

[DeputyDan]

On Wednesday evening there was a structure fire to an unoccupied cabin on Mountainside Drive East in the Crystal River Ranch. The fire spread rapidly through the structure and was totally involved with the roof collapsed even as Greenwater Fire arrived on scene. Greenwater Fire extinguished the fire and was supported logistically with lighting and manpower by Enumclaw Fire. Pierce County Fire Marshall Bill Steel (different Bill then our local hero) came up and investigated the fire and determined that it was an arson. Apparently a significant amount of flammable liquid was used to start the fire. Greenwater Fire Volunteers were on scene from the initial call until 1:00 the next day - great job Greenwater Fire Volunteers!

Yesterday Bill Steel returned with a second Pierce County Fire Marshall and an investigator/detective from the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. Greenwater Fire assisted the fire investigators in their detective work. The investigation is underway and some good evidence was collected at the scene. Thank you neighbors for your quick actions the night of the fire and to those who came forward with information for the investigators.

As a reminder - please keep your generator/chainsaw/lawnmower fuel locked up in a safe place and be vigilant in your neighborhood for suspicious activity. Arsonists have a tendency to repeat behaviors - so take care of your community and don't hesitate to report to 911 any suspicious activity you observe.


Deputy Dan

[Webmaster]

Thank you for posting this, Dan! Holy cow that strikes close to home! :eek: One of the reasons I put this forum on line was to help spread information about this kind of activity in the hope that many eyes help to stop this kind of thing from happening. Because the forum is very new, and not a lot of folks check regurlarly, I'm going to send email to my small list of local folks so that more may know about this tragedy.

My thanks for the courageous and generous efforts of all involved!!!

[pcfd26chief]

ARSON
On 12/27/06 there at approximately 9:00 pm there was a structure fire in an unoccupied cabin on Mountainside Drive in Crystal River Ranch. This fire was started by the use of a substantial amount of a flammable liquid. This incident is being investigated by Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Steele of the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau, in cooperation with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone possessing information that might assist in the investigation should call the Arson Hotline:
(800) 55ARSON
Arsonists are often repeat offenders. Please keep all flammable liquids secured. Lock all structures. Watch for suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Keep an eye on your neighbors’ property, especially vacation properties that are often vacant. If you plan to be gone overnight, let a neighbor know.
The Fire Department and Sheriff Hudson will keep the community informed of progress in this investigation.
Thanks.
Chief Paul Sowers Home 663-0146
Greenwater Fire Dept. Office 663-2522

[Webmaster]

Welcome PCFD26Chief and thank you for the post. I was by this property and was shocked by the destruction. The place is a total loss. I've included photos for the benefit of others. I received comments form other residents offering to provide what assistance we can to the family and will take this opportunity to make that offer public.

As a note to readers, several companies which provide alarm service also offer fire and smoke detection devices as part of the service. These devices typically call one or more a pre-specified phone numbers and can go a long ways to help shorten response time.

I hope the person or persons who did this are caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

[Kitten]

Pursuant to the Forum Rules of this site--particularly Rule 6, it states as follows:
"6. Respect the privacy of others. Do NOT post others phone numbers, addresses, PICTURES, etc. WITHOUT their express permission." (emphasis added)
The Owners of this property have made their point!
This home cannot be seen from any street--in order to take the above pictures, the person or persons had to trespass onto the property through a locked gate at the street. Further, this property at all times has been posted "No Trespassing". At no time have the Owners of this property given permission to anyone to enter the property for any reason or to post pictures on this site.
If you wish to view the property or have questions, please contact the Owners through the CRR Board of Directors.
This property is very dangerous--please stay out!

[Webmaster]

You made a valid point. I did get an okay from law enforcement prior to posting the photos. Out of respect for your comment I have removed the posts, at least for the time, until any uncertainty about permission has been resolved.

Thanks for the thoughtful post!