PORT LUDLOW — Six months after a $1 million arson fire destroyed four Port Ludlow condominiums and damaged six others, Jefferson County Sheriff’s detectives say they might have a suspect.
However, investigators still lack enough evidence to make an arrest.
“We have a person of interest,” Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry said Thursday.
“We have discussed it with the [federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]. They think that they know who might have done it but they can’t prove it.”
Fire deliberately set
The early-morning fire is believed to have been deliberately set Dec. 2. Residents escaped unharmed, but three lost their homes.
Investigators determined that the fire began in a vehicle parked in an open garage underneath the Admiralty I condominium complex.
Port Ludlow Fire Chief Wayne Kier transferred the case to Seattle-based federal agents after determining that damage was estimated at more than $1 million.
Federal investigators took charge of the case the next day, working with the Jefferson County Fire Investigation Task Force.
The task force is comprised of arson investigators from Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue Fire District 3, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Port Townsend Police Department.
ATF spokeswoman Julianne Marshall declined to comment on Perry’s statement about having a suspect.
Ever since taking charge of the investigation, the federal agency has not reported any suspects or persons of interest, she said.
