Police arrest man for setting apartment fire

SEATTLE -- A man has been arrested in connection with an apartment fire that started early Saturday morning.

Seattle firefighters rescued a woman from a second-story window on S. Thistle St., as flames quickly spread through a South Park apartment complex.

Four other residents escaped the fire unharmed. One firefighter was briefly taken to the hospital due to overheating.

Now police believe that fire was set intentionally.

Witnesses told investigators they saw a man pouring gas on a stairway, then lighting it and leaving the scene.

Several witnesses gave officers the same description, which led detectives to 33-year-old Ricardo Rodriguez later that afternoon.

He has been booked into the King Co. Jail on arson charges.

Investigators say the fire started outside the building, before extending to the structure. Total damage costs are expected to top $300,000.