Arrest made in fire that destroyed longtime Bellingham feed store

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Officers with the Bellingham Police Department arrested a suspect Wednesday in connection with a fire that destroyed Hohl Feed and Seed.

"Paul J. Wolfe, 57, was arrested on Wednesday Feb. 27 for felony reckless burning in the first degree," a Bellingham city official said in a news release.

Crews with the Bellingham Fire Department were dispatched to the store at 1322 Railroad Ave around 4 a.m. on Feb. 18.

Firefighters said when they arrived, the second floor was engulfed in flames and they were unable to access it because of dangerous conditions.

Bellingham police said firefighters saved the small animals inside the building. Whatcom Humane responded to help shelter them.

Investigators with the Bellingham Fire Department had previously said the fire started “under suspicious circumstances” on the outside of the building in the alley.

According to police, the investigation and area video surveillance further revealed the following timeline:

• Around 3:35 a.m., two subjects "entered the small alcove between the two pet store buildings and remained there for about 30 minutes."
• At 4 a.m., the two people left the alcove.
• At around 4:05 a.m.,  "what appears to be a third subject runs into the alcove. Flames are visible, and it appears the person is removing items from the alcove, including what looks like a backpack, before running away from the area."
• At 4:20 a.m., "A 911 call reporting the incident initiated a two alarm fire response."

Police and fire investigators released images from the surveillance video to help identify the individuals involved.

"Through Bellingham Police Department interviews with that individual, it was determined that Wolfe started the fire in the brick chimney to get warm. The individual reported that within minutes, he observed sparks and flames coming out of the top of the chimney, and that he and Wolfe panicked and left the area," the city official said.

According to police, Wolfe has denied setting an intentional fire and has said he does not remember the morning of Feb. 18.

Cox Media Group