Moses Lake house fire investigated as arson

MOSES LAKE - An early Thursday morning fire at a vacant Moses Lake home is being investigated as an act of arson.

Moses Lake Fire Chief Tom Taylor said the home, located at 1114 W. Gary St., was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived about 5:30 a.m. Thursday. Taylor said the house was completely destroyed in the fire.

Taylor said firefighters had to extinguish the flames before checking to see if anyone was inside because the house was fully engulfed when crews arrived. Nobody was found inside after several sweeps through the home. Taylor added the fire would not have been survivable if anyone was inside.

The cause of the fire was initially determined to be suspicious. After further investigation, Taylor determined the fire was arson. The origin of the fire is undetermined.

Although the home was vacant, neighbors said they believe squatters have been staying inside the home.

No nearby structures were reported damaged in the incident. Grant County Fire District 5 provided mutual aid in the fire.

A Moses Lake police detective was on scene Thursday morning and made contact with several neighbors and witnesses. Capt. Dave Sands said police received several reports in the last month of various people, possibly transients or squatters, coming in and out of the unoccupied home.

There has also been several reports of property theft in the home, Sands added.

No suspects have been identified and anyone with information on the arson is asked to contact Detective Matt Fullbright at 509-764-3887.