Arson suspect arrested after early morning fire in Bellevue

Residents evacuated safely from home.

A 56-year-old man was arrested in connection to an overnight arson fire in the 100 block of 159th Avenue Southeast on May 30, Bellevue police reported.

Shortly before 3 a.m. the Bellevue Fire Department responded to reports of a residential fire — started on the porch of the home and burning through the front door. The fire was out within 10 minutes. Because of the fire’s suspicious nature, police arson investigators were dispatched.

No one was injured during the blaze and the three home occupants were evacuated safely. The homeowner identified the suspect through a home surveillance video. They determined it was a family member who resides outside of the home. The homeowner told police the suspect would likely be traveling on foot.

The Bellevue Police K-9 unit aided with the search. A patrol officer spotted the suspect walking along the road near 147th Avenue Southeast and Main Street at 10 a.m. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to jail.