Birch Bay man arrested after setting fire to his home

A 35-year-old Birch Bay man was arrested for first-degree reckless burning on August 9 after admitting to setting fire to his home.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) received a call about 2:15 p.m. August 9 regarding a mobile home and tree on fire in Ponderosa Estates off Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Birch Bay, said fire chief Jason Van Der Veen. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly after and learned from the fire captain on scene that the 35-year-old man said he started the fire and refused to leave the porch, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court. No one else was believed to be inside of the home.

Fire departments from Ferndale, Lynden and Bellingham assisted to put out the fire, which was extinguished by 2:50 p.m., Van Der Veen said. First responders transported the man, who was not clothed, to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.

After being medically cleared, the man was booked into Whatcom County Jail for the Class C felony later that evening. Jail booking data shows he is being held in lieu of a $10,000 appearance bond.

Authorities requested Compass Health, a mental and behavioral health provider, to conduct an intervention investigation at the jail. According to the evaluation, Compass Health recommended the man be transported to St. Joseph Medical Center to receive behavioral health treatment. The order was signed August 10 and expires August 17.

Call 911 if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor.

The Whatcom County Triage Center crisis line is 800/584-3578.

The Washington Warm Line is 877/500-9276 and provides peer support for people living with mental illness 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information about resources, visit namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html.