An investigation has determined a fire at Hohl Feed and Seed started under suspicious circumstances, according to the Bellingham Fire Department.
Investigators have been processing the fire scene at 1322 Railroad Ave. since Monday.
After examining the scene and reviewing nearby security video, Bellingham Fire has determined the fire started on the outside of the building in the alley.
“There was nothing there that would accidentally start a fire,” says Assistant Fire Chief Bill Hewett. “There was no electricity and no heat sources.”
Without anything to indicate an accidental start to the fire, it is apparent that the fire was caused by a person.
A security video provided by a neighboring business confirms there was a person in the area where the fire started minutes before 911 was notified.
Lt. Claudia Murphy walked KIRO 7 through the security video that appears to show someone walking up to the alley. Then, flames can be seen starting to spread. The person appears to walk around in front of the fire gathering items, before leaving the alley and calmly walking north across Magnolia Street.
“There’s no way for me to judge if he's just a calm, cool, collected arsonist or whether he is somebody who went back there and just accidentally started a fire to get warm,” Murphy said.
Hohl’s is a beloved and historic part of the Bellingham community that has been around for more than a century.
“This was definitely an iconic store in Bellingham, so if it turns out that it was arson, it would be very shocking, surprising and very sad,” Murphy said.
The call reporting the fire came to 911 at 4:20 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18. The two-alarm response included apparatus from Bellingham Fire, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, South Whatcom Fire Authority and Whatcom County Fire District 7.
The fire also triggered a response from the Bellingham Police Department, Bellingham Public Works and the Whatcom Humane Society.
Most of the animals at Hohl’s were rescued. However, a python and several birds remain unaccounted for. Officials believe the missing animals likely perished during the fire.
The investigation team is asking for help from the community to try to identify who was in the alley.
If you have any information about the fire or if you were in the area and saw anyone in the alleyway, please contact Detective Kelsh at 360-778-8690 or the Bellingham Police Tip Line at 360-778-8611.
Tips can also be sent in electronically at www.cob.org/tips
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Cox Media Group
