Renton police arrest arson suspect, say he's admitted to setting 3 fires

RENTON -- Renton police said Tuesday they have arrested an arson suspect who  admitted during questioning to setting three fires in the same downtown building.

Police said the suspect was arrested lastThursday, after officers recognized him from surveillance photos captured during a March 21 arson at a downtown Renton building.

When questioned by detectives on Friday, police said, the 32-year-old man admitted to setting a total of three fires at the same building.  He is in custody at the King County Jail on felony charges.

Here is a Q13 FOX News video news report from May 15 on the fires >>>

The downtown area had been experiencing a rash of arson fires over the last several months.  Most of the fires were set in dumpsters, but some were set in areas that had the potential to spread to surrounding businesses and homes.

“The suspect only admitted to three,” said Renton police detective Steve Morris, “but due to similarities to the other arsons, we believe he may be responsible for many more.”

Detectives and Renton Fire investigators will review the other cases to see if the man can be charged for additional arsons.