A fire tore through several box trucks early Friday near a busy industrial stretch in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood.
A fire tore through several rental box trucks early Friday near a busy industrial stretch in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood.
Investigators are now working to determine what sparked it, but it appears to be arson.
PHOTOS: Aftermath of box truck fire
Seattle firefighters were called to reports of several box trucks on fire at 1st Avenue South and South Spokane Street around 1:30 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found three box trucks on fire at the Penske rental facility.
About a half hour later, Seattle firefighters had knocked down the fire as crews continued to put water on the flames.
The aftermath of the fire at the Penske truck rental facility in SODO on Sept. 25, 2026. (KOMO)Seattle Fire Department firefighters were extinguishing the blaze when officers arrived and spoke to a witness, who told police he saw a man near where the fire was lit shortly before, according to Seattle police (SPD).
Officers located the 37-year-old man close to the rental truck lot fenceline and detained him, police said.
Officers noticed he had a strong smell of smoke on him and was in possession of a lighter, police said.
The witness positively identified the man as the same person he saw leaving the lot before the fire, according to SPD.
Officers placed the man under arrest for felony property damage; the total damage to the three rental trucks was estimated to be more than $150,000, police said.
Later that morning, ABS detectives reviewed camera footage that the business provided, and they observed a different story, according to SPD.
The footage showed a vehicle arriving, with two suspects inside, SPD said.
They appeared to be trying to steal fuel allegedly from the box trucks when the fire ignited, engulfing the suspects and their vehicle, according to police.
The car drove out of the flames and left southbound on 1st Avenue South, according to SPD.
ABS detectives worked to release the 37-year-old man from King County Jail this morning after determining that he was not involved in setting the fire.
The Seattle Fire Department Fire Marshall assisted with the investigation, and detectives with the Arson Bomb Squad will be responsible for the follow-up.
Detectives believe that one of the suspects may have a possible heat injury or singed hair and eyebrows.
Fire crews protected the surrounding buildings.
No injuries were reported.
The three trucks were empty.
Anyone with information that could lead to an arrest of these suspects is asked to call the Seattle Police Tip Line at (206)-233-5000. Seattle Police incident: 2026-285907 / South Precinct / O1
