Islamic Center burned in arson, one man arrested in Bellevue

An arson fire badly damaged the Islamic Center of the Eastside early Saturday morning, and one man was arrested.

At 2:44 a.m., a witness reported flames coming from the building at 14700 Main Street in Bellevue. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.

“Firefighters arrived and extinguished the suspicious fire,” Bellevue police spokesman Seth Tyler said in a statement. “Meanwhile, police officers located a 37-year-old man on the north side of the building who was subsequently arrested for suspicion of arson. At this time, investigators believe that he is the sole suspect.”

Crews remain on scene to investigate the fire. Bellevue police and fire investigators are planning a 5:30 p.m. news briefing on the arson.

KIRO 7 will be at the briefing and have video during our special 8 p.m. newscast, after the AFC divisional playoff game. Watch with us on TV or use this link for the KIRO 7 livestream.

Over the last six months this center and neighboring Islamic center have seen numerous acts of vandalism, according to a fundraising page launched early Saturday. While investigators remained at the scene Saturday, the funding page already raised $1,133 of its $150,000 goal.

Cox Media Group