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Man charged with first-degree arson in devastating Whidbey Island fire

By KIRO 7 News Staff
By KIRO 7 News Staff

LANGLEY, Wash. — UPDATE: Blake Fountain, 48, has been charged with first-degree arson for his role in the devastating Whidbey Island fire that destroyed two houses and three cars.

Court documents state that early Thursday morning Fountain told Roger Vehorn, who he lived with, that Vehorn needed to get out of the house because he had "started a fire."

Alexander Vehorn, Roger's son, told police that when he exited the house, he saw two gas cans on the front porch.

Alexander also told police that Fountain had been having mental health issues and that on July 1 or July 2, Fountain told Alexander that he could smell fire. Alexander told police there was no fire.

On July 2, Fountain was taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation after he told co-workers there was a bomb plot.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Fire crews responded to the Langley scene near Useless Bay Golf and Country Club around 6 a.m. At some point, the large house fire spread to a second home and nearby cars.

>> PHOTOS: See extensive damage of Whidbey Island fire here

The fire burned one home to the ground and it gutted the second home. Chopper 7 flew over the scene on 5700 block of  Captain Vancouver Drive where it charred nearby homes and multiple cars, destroying at least three cars.

"It was just a complete ball of fire, the whole house, " said neighbor Ron Lind, "Every bit of the house was completely in flames."

“The best of our knowledge, there are no serious injuries. I believe everyone got out before the fire fully engulfed the houses. We do have a suspect in custody,” Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said. “As soon as the fire is out we’ll send [teams] in to further gather evidence for the fire.”

Island County Sheriff's Office told KIRO 7 News deputies arrested 48-year-old Blake Fountain. The sheriff's office is in the early stages of the investigation, and is not releasing a motive. ATF agents were called in to help with the investigation.

A family of four was asleep in the second home that caught fire. The family has two daughters ages 9 and 4. The homeowner told KIRO-7 he woke up hearing booms and bangs and his daughter screaming. The family was able to get out safely. The home is destroyed.

The Red Cross was on hand to help fire victims.

Keasha Campbell, the owner of Crabby Coffee in Freeland, saw the smoke from her espresso stand window Thursday morning.

When she found out the fire victims were her regular customers she created a Go Fund Me page to help them.

"Definitely your heart drops with something like this happens to somebody and especially somebody that you know. You do what you can," said Keasha Campbell.   Campbell's house burned down in January in Freeland. She told KIRO-7 she knows how awful it is to lose everything and hopes to help the family.

You can help the family here.

The suspect, Blake Fountain, is in the Island County Jail for investigation of arson. KIRO-7 did a background check and he does not appear to have a criminal history. Fountain is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon.

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