Car arson being investigated as potential hate crime

SEATTLE - Racial motivations may be behind a car fire set early Monday morning in the Central District.

Fire fighters were called out to the 2500 block of E. Pine St. just before 1 a.m. for reports of a car on fire. Firefighters put the fire out, but not before the car was destroyed.

Seattle Police's Arson Bomb unit was called to the scene and discovered that the car had been sprayed with graffiti and racial epithets prior to the fire. The graffiti included some hateful language, and police are investigating the potential arson as a hate crime.

The car, a 1970 Cadillac Deville, is a complete loss, police said.

Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to contact Seattle police.