ACME and MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Fire stations in Skagit and Whatcom counties are missing vital tools after break-ins over the last few days.
The first burglary happened at Whatcom County Fire District 16′s fire station 86 in Acme on Saturday.
When volunteer firefighters arrived at the station to respond to a car crash, they found that equipment storage doors on every truck were open and equipment was missing.
According to a video posted on the fire district’s Facebook page, the station has enough backup equipment to get firefighters through until all the equipment can be replaced.
More than $18,000 worth of life-saving equipment was stolen, including five power saws, two generators, a combination battery-powered tool and a battery-powered floodlight.
Due to supply chain issues during the pandemic, fire officials said it will take some time for the items to be replaced.
The second burglary happened at the Lake Mcmurray Fire Department in Mount Vernon.
Tools were stolen and the building was damaged.
The fire department posted on its Facebook page that surveillance video appeared to show at least three people were involved, possibly two men and a woman.
The photos of the suspects and their vehicle can be seen in the photo gallery below.