Suspicious fire breaks out behind Whole Foods in Bellevue

BELLEVUE, Wash. — A busy grocery store in Bellevue had to be evacuated after someone set a fire in the back of the store.

Bellevue police said the fire broke out shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday at Whole Foods on Northeast Eighth Street in Bellevue.

Police said a shoplifting suspect was being questioned at the store when a small fire broke out nearby.

Everyone in the store was cleared out after the fire alarm sounded and sprinklers deployed.

Police said they believe the fire was set to create a diversion for the shoplifting suspect or as retaliation for the man being detained.

Police are still looking for the arsonist, who may be a second shoplifting suspect who got into a confrontation with security as the other man was being questioned.

KIRO