Arsonist Martin Pang, who is responsible for the 1995 fire with the highest number of firefighter casualties in Seattle history, was released from prison on Thursday, Sept. 27. Here is a Q & A about the case and Pang’s release.
Who is Martin Pang?
Pang is an arsonist who killed four Seattle firefighters when he burned down his parents warehouse to try and get insurance money. He flew to Mexico after the fire and then returned, acting surprised when he came to his parents' Mercer Island home the following morning. As the investigation closed in on him, Pang, who had talked to his ex-wife about burning the warehouse, went on the run. He sent a video to a Seattle TV station declaring his innocence, and then fled to Brazil, where could not be extradited for a murder charge. He was extradited for manslaughter charges and returned to Seattle in 1998. He agreed to serve each sentence of 8.75 years consecutively, and he took that deal to avoid the possibility of a life sentence. The sentence for the manslaughter charges allowed for his release from prison on Sept. 27, 2018.
What was the Pang warehouse fire?
At 7:02 p.m. on Jan. 5, 1995, firefighters were called to the Mary Pang Frozen Chinese Food plant at South Dearborn Street and Seventh Avenue South. More than 100 firefighters battled the five-alarm blaze, and smoke could be seen from Bellevue and Mercer Island – where owners Harry and Mary Pang learned of the fire on KIRO 7. Four firefighters died in the basement of the three-story concrete and wood structure after the first floor collapsed and dropped them 20 feet. Five other firefighters were injured.
Who were the firefighters killed?
Lt. Walter Kilgore, Lt. Greg Shoemaker and firefighters James Brown and Randy Terlicker. Three – Kilgore, Brown and Terlicker – died of asphyxiation after their air tanks emptied. Shoemaker, who lost his helmet and oxygen mask in the fall from the first floor, died of smoke inhalation. Their bodies were recovered three days later.
Why is Pang being released when he was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison?
He got 33 percent of his sentence off for earned release time -- time off for good behavior. That is based on his behavior in prison. Follow this link to see more specifics on earned time and good conduct time from the State Department of Corrections.
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Wasn't he involved in an identity-fraud scheme?
Pang later lost 76 days of "good time" credit and wound up in a harsher prison environment after police in 2013 said he engineered an identity-fraud scheme that aimed to steal the identities of firefighters and others who played a role in his case, according to The Associated Press. "Before Pang and his accomplice, Charles McClain, went through with their plan, an undercover detective was able to infiltrate their crime ring," Seattle police spokesman Jonah Spangenthal-Lee said in a 2013 statement. "The detective met with McClain, who gave the detective checks, Social Security information, and the IDs of planned fraud targets. During the investigation, Pang also provided a police source with the names and Social Security numbers of key witnesses in his 1995 case." Pang was at the Monroe Correctional Complex at the time and was later moved to the state penitentiary in Walla Walla.
Did firefighters know about the danger of the building?
Firefighter did not know that the Pang warehouse had been the target of arson threats, though Fire Department officials did. Responders also did not have a building plan and didn't know about the basement.
What happened within the fire department after the fire?
Firefighter protocols changes as a result of the Pang warehouse fire, and today firefighter are told of arson threats and potential hazards. The Seattle Fire Department agreed to augment a safety officer position and create a safety division. In return, the state Department of Labor and Industries reduced a $25,000 fine it had levied after finding fire officials had interfered with a safety officer.
What does the Department of Corrections say about Pang's release?
"Based on the law at the time of the crime in 1995, Pang was not eligible for a sentence of post-release community supervision," spokesman Jeremy S. Barclay said in an e-mail. "Therefore, without the ability to supervise him post-release, the department does not know Pang's intentions for his living situation after he completes his sentence of incarceration." Because release times vary, Barclay was not sure exactly what time Pang would be released.
Did the victims' families received any money?
In 1999, a jury awarded $5.6 million in damages from the City of Seattle to the widow of James Brown – record damages at the time. The families of the other three firefighters killed settled claims ranging from $450,000 to $3.5 million. Jurors assigned 75 percent of the blame in the firefighters death to the Seattle Fire Department. Pang was deemed 25 percent responsible.
Did Martin Pang have to pay?
Pang was ordered to pay $5.4 million to the widow of Greg Shoemaker as the result of a civil case, though Pang was broke.
Who received the reward money after Pang's capture?
His ex-wife received a portion of it after his conviction.
Did Martin Pang try to get out before?
Yes. In 2005, attorney John Henry Browne tried to get Pang's term nullified, and that sparked outrage from the Seattle firefighters. Pang remained in prison.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Pang-s-lawyer-seeks-to-nullify-prison-term-1166629.php
What is at the Pang warehouse site now?
It's an empty lot.
Information by the same author that's included in this report initially appeared on seattlepi.com.
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