WA- MCNEIL ISLAND: Special Commitment Center fire possibly arson, deputy says

1-27-2009 Washington:

Investigators believe someone intentionally set fire to a building Sunday at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. No injuries were reported and no arrest was made.

The fire started shortly after 6 p.m. in the Redwood Building, the state Department of Social and Health Services reported Monday. The building is part of the mental health treatment center for civilly committed sex offenders.

The 74 residents of the commitment center were evacuated without incident to the gymnasium, where they spent the night, the agency reported.

The fire caused $155,000 in damage to the single-story building and $10,000 to the personal property inside.

A deputy fire marshal suspects the fire was arson and referred the case to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for follow-up, DSHS reported. ..News Source.. by Stacey Mulick, The News Tribune