Bellingham police arrest man suspected of arson at homeless camp outside library
The Bellingham Herald 12/14/2020 David Rasbach, The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, Wash.)
Dec. 14 Police have arrested the man they suspect last week started a fire at a homeless encampment outside the Bellingham Public Library that caused two propane tanks to explode.
Bellingham police booked Robert Alan Cisar, 54, into Whatcom County Jail Thursday, Dec. 10, on suspicion of first-degree arson, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Bellingham Fire and Police responded at approximately 12:49 p.m. Dec. 5 to what the north lawn of the library for the report of a fire and several loud explosions, Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email. When officers arrived, they found the area that formerly had a fountain on it engulfed in flames.