In the early morning of Oct. 23, Seattle firefighters responded to a small rubbish fire outside the Mount Baker Community Club.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. Soon after, they were clear: The fire was intentionally set, board director Betsy Kerlin Pyun recalled. The club canceled its events for a day because of the strong smell of smoke, but the building only had minor damage. Still, Kerlin Pyun said, the incident was jarring.

“We’re looking at expanding our surveillance, but even with surveillance that doesn’t necessarily deter,” she said. “The real concern is that everybody is just scared.

As 2025’s arsons climb, residents, business owners, housebuilders and more have been on edge. Seattle police reported 33 arsons in October, the highest of any month in the past five y

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