Teen arrested after July 4 fireworks spark deadly Washington state blaze
An 18-year-old from Kent was taken into custody for manslaughter and arson investigations after illegal fireworks ignited the Chelan Hills Fire, which killed one person.
Police arrested an 18-year-old resident of Kent on suspicion of manslaughter and arson after a group set off illegal fireworks from a truck on July 4, leading to the Chelan Hills Fire in Douglas County. Sheriff Tyler Caille reported that a firework landed in roadside brush, igniting a blaze that spread across roughly 15.6 square miles and razed more than 100 structures. The fire caused the death of 69-year-old Robert Lister of Orondo, whose vehicle was consumed by the flames.
Investigators are also pursuing arrest warrants for five other participants, all over 18, and have warned them to turn themselves in. The sheriff emphasized that the suspects are complicit in the same offenses and indicated law enforcement will locate them if they do not surrender.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the lethal risks of illegal fireworks and the severe consequences of reckless behavior.
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