A house fire discovered the night of July 19 is suspected to be arson, said Orcas fire chief Mike Harris today.

When Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to the fire at 50 Alder Street, the first firefighter to arrive found an alert neighbor extinguishing the back porch fire with a garden hose. The occupants of the smoke-filled house had been awakened by other neighbors and had safely evacuated the home.

Four fire engines and 13 emergency responders worked on the scene. Once they had completely extinguished the remaining fire in the hidden cavities of the wall, an investigation was begun.

“We ruled out accidental causes for this fire and found reason to be suspicious of the cause of the fire,” said Harris, saying the sheriff and fire marshal’s office were also called in to investigate.

Evidence and statements were collected on scene, and an investigation is under way.

“This was an extremely dangerous fire where the outcome could have been very tragic,” said Harris in a statement to the community. “Seattle has had several arson fires recently which were set with flammables found on the scene. Please make sure your flammable liquids are stored in a locked garage or, better yet, a separate outbuilding. Also provide secure caps so that vapors cannot escape the gas can. Also, it is doubtful that the smoke detectors were working property. Please check your smoke detector or call us at 376-2331 and we will check yours, provide and mount one or just change the batteries. Please check this today for the safety of your entire family.”

The county assessor’s website lists a Virgina address for the property owners.

Harris requested that anyone who has information about activity on Alder Street or in the vicinity between 10 and 11 p.m. please contact the Sheriff’s Department or the Fire Marshal’s office by calling the Orcas Island Fire Department at 376-2331.