Arson is the Cause of Aurora Avenue Fire in Shoreline

Photo from Shoreline Fire Department

Update from the Shoreline Fire Department

The Shoreline Fire Marshal says arson is the cause of this morning’s fire at a vacant furniture business.  The blaze destroyed the building at Aurora Avenue North and N 170th street.

Investigators have not yet determined whether the suspect arrested today in the Greenwood arson fires is also responsible for the Shoreline incident.

The fire broke out at midnight.   Firefighters arrived to find the rear of the building fully involved in flames and smoke that was visible for miles. The fire burned for more than four hours – but firefighters were able to protect all other nearby businesses and property.

Shoreline was assisted by fire crews from Northshore, Snohomish County District One, Seattle, Bothell, and Kirkland.

This afternoon, Seattle Police said the man they apprehended on Aurora Avenue North – just blocks from the fire, is the person responsible for the recent string of Greenwood neighborhood arsons.  They identified him as Kevin Todd Swalwell, 46, a homeless man with a previous record of serving time for arson. 

Shoreline fire investigators are calling him a person of interest in the fires – but have not gone so far as to say he is their suspect.

Shoreline Fire and the King County Fire Investigation Unit are continuing to investigate whether there is a relationship between the Shoreline incident and the Greenwood arsons.