A 31-year-old Covington man ’emitting a burnt smell” was arrested on Monday, June 30, 2025, for allegedly setting multiple brush fires in Kent, thanks in part to quick action from city staff and bystanders near the Kent Village area.
Kent Police responded just after 2 p.m. to reports of a brush fire near S. 212th Street and 72nd Avenue S., where witnesses described a man in a black hoodie and shorts walking away from the flames. Additional fires were discovered shortly afterward north of the original location.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., employees with Kent Parks and Recreation reported seeing the same suspect setting more fires near 68th Avenue S. and S. 204th Street.
KPD Traffic Officer Morrison responded to the area and located the suspect, who was pointed out by Parks employees. As officers approached, the man dropped several items, including a lighter. He smelled of smoke and had visible burns and a white and black ash-like substance on his legs.
Puget Sound Fire personnel evaluated him at the scene and cleared him for booking. One of the fires had been set directly behind Fire Station #76, where video surveillance captured the suspect in the act.
Witnesses later identified him as the same man seen crouching and lighting at least a dozen small fires.
He was arrested and booked for reckless burning, along with an outstanding $5,400 criminal trespass warrant from a prior Kent case.
No injuries or property damage were reported, and all fires were extinguished before they could spread.
“Thank you to all the witnesses and Kent Parks and Recreation Department who called AND stayed on scene to help our Officers locate and identify this dangerous travelling fire setter,” police said in a statement. “Your interventions helped us to get him into custody and allowed Puget Sound Fire to get the fires under control before something more tragic happened.”
The motive remains unclear.
