Marysville Fire responds to possible arson

The Marysville Fire District responded to a possible arson incident on Dec. 28 when they came to fight a fire at a burning building near downtown Marysville.

Firefighters responded to a fire that was burning at a small BNSF Railway building off First Street. The fire was extinguished by Marysville firefighters.

"We had two engines and two aid cars that responded and extinguished the fire. About a dozen firefighters in total responded," said Christie Veley, public education and information specialist with the Marysville Fire District.

There were no injuries to either firefighters or civilians during the incident, according to Veley. There was a minor interruption for the train tracks.

"The fire did not extend beyond the building. The tracks were shut down for a short period during the response," she said.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office and the Marysville Police Department helped to investigate the scene.

Officials talked with a possibly homeless individual at the scene and who may be a suspect in the case.

"A 25-year-old transient male was contacted at the scene that morning," said Jeffrey Franzen, a patrol sergeant and PIO with the Marysville Police Department. "The male confessed to starting the fire and was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on the charge of Arson second degree."

Officials who talked with the potential suspect believe that he may have mental health problems.

"The male's explanation led officers to believe there may be some mental health issues affecting his decision making," said Franzen.

According to the American Psychiatric Association those with mental illnesses are not more likely to commit violent crime than those without a mental health disorder.

Officials from the association also note that even when individuals with mental health disorders do commit crime, the disorder is often not the root cause of the crime.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's office continues to investigate the case as of Dec. 31.