Teenager arrested and 5 others sought in deadly July 4 fire in Washington state

EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — An 18-year-old male from Kent, Washington has been arrested in connection with a deadly July 4 fire, according to Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille. The teen was among a group who were igniting illegal fireworks from the back of a truck when one of them landed in roadside brush, sparking the fast-moving blaze.

Caille reported that authorities are seeking arrest warrants for five others accused of setting off the illegal fireworks. The Chelan Hills Fire consumed roughly 15.6 square miles (40.4 square kilometers) of land, destroying over 100 structures and resulting in one fatality. The deceased individual was identified as Robert Lister, a 69-year-old resident of Orondo, whose vehicle slid off the road and was engulfed by the flames.

Sheriff Caille urged the others accused of launching the illegal fireworks to surrender, warning that law enforcement would locate them if they did not. All of the accused are over 18 and are believed to be complicit in the same crimes.