The arson of some townhouses under construction was recently claimed by anonymous Seattle Anarchists. This is the communique they left, citing their reasons and expressing their joy:
“Just before midnight, Monday Feb 25, we strolled over to the townhouses under construction on 24th and Norman in the Central District. After slipping inside, we set one ablaze. Oh what ease! Oh what fun!
Sustainable development is a myth that makes us sick. By furthering gentrification and ecological destruction, these buildings dress disaster up as progress, promising a “green” future that will never be.
Our attack was just one more opportunity to joyously reject the status quo. It was another attempt to shed the subjugated subjectivity forced upon us by Capital and the State. We act against civil society and its attempts at domestication. Fuck that shit.
Solidarity with Maddy, Kerry, and all the silent ones still facing repression by the Federal Grand Jury. We will not cower in fear. We will not remain docile in the face of State terror.
Now is the time to attack! Enemies abound. Weapons are everywhere.
Join us?
Some Anarchists.”
Corporate news coverage reports:
The fire that caused extensive damage to an under-construction townhouse project at 24th and Norman last week was intentionally set, fire department investigators say.
Now a post signed only by “Some Anarchists” on the Puget Sound Anarchists website claims responsibility for the arson.
The townhouse project developer Benjamin Custom Homes describes the homes as “efficient green homes with approximately 2500sf of modern living, attached parking and private roof-top deck with views of the Seattle skyline.”
The case is under investigation by SPD’s arson team. We have attempted to contact SPD to ask them about the PSA post and will update when we hear back. (UPDATE: Seattle Police said investigators are aware of the post, but have no additional information on the investigation at this time.)
Details from SFD:
Seattle Fire Investigators determined a fire at an under construction house in Judkins Park was intentionally set.
The initial 911 call came in at 12:28 a.m. reporting flames coming from a single family home located at the corner of South Norman Street and 24th Avenue South. While responding to the scene, fire officers could see the flames shooting into the night sky from several blocks away.
Engine 6 arrived first to find a full involved 3-story home that was under construction. Flames from the home were exposing to a second under construction house. Using multiple hose lines, firefighters were able to control the flames in 7 minutes. Embers from the fire landed on a nearby houses roof causing a temporary evacuation of the residents. The residents were eventually allowed back in.
The fire also damaged a piece of construction equipment, a port-a-potty and burned through a power line to a home. There were no reported injuries.
Firefighters conducted an overnight fire watch to make sure the embers don’t reignite in the home.
Fire investigators estimate the damage at $30,000 to the structure and contents. The case has been turned over to the Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad who will be investigating.