A person thought to be homeless was arrested early Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, after starting an “unintentional” fire that caused limited damage outside Planned Parenthood’s front entrance, the organization’s CEO Linda McCarthy said.
The health center, located at 1530 Ellis St., is open and seeing patients as normal, she said.
“[There was] no malintent that we’re aware of,” McCarthy said. “Our staff are resilient, and they’re responding. Volunteers are out. Patients are being seen. Doors are open, and we’re here.”
Fire alarms triggered around 4 a.m. Wednesday, and Bellingham fire crews arrived to find the front entryway on fire, Fire Captain Dustin Michaelis said.
Investigators determined a bench had caught fire, and the flames spread to the door and the exterior ceiling of the building’s entry. The fire damaged walls, a ceiling, lamps and security cameras, Bellingham police spokesperson Megan Peters said in an email.
“The fire was quickly knocked down and extinguished, and there was some minor smoke damage to the interior of the building,” Michaelis said.
Police found a male under a blanket with a lighter near the back door of the building, Peters said. Surveillance footage showed the man shoving papers under the back door of the facility and attempting to light them on fire.
Investigators estimated the fire caused more than $7,500 in property damage. No one was injured.
The person thought to have started the fire was booked into Whatcom County Jail, on suspicion of second-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief, according to online booking records.
