The Pullman Police Department has determined arson as the cause of an early-morning blaze at Planned Parenthood Sept. 4. An investigation is ongoing.
The Pullman Fire Department responded to the fire around 3:30 a.m. The building had already incurred extensive damages, and firefighters had to cut into the rafters in order to extinguish the flames.
Following the fire investigation, the case was handed to the Pullman Police Department and the FBI”s Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Pullman police Detective Sgt. Jake Opgenorth said investigators have recovered footage from the scene showing both the interior and exterior of the building, but would not comment further on the nature of the video.
Opgenorth said the building is currently unusable and too unsafe to go in.
“Basically, it was a total loss,” Opgenorth said. “Cost of the damage is more than the cost of the building.”
Opgenorth said the investigation is ongoing and they are currently pursuing several leads. There”s no indication whether the incident is related to recent national outcry over Planned Parenthood”s business practices or the Aug. 26 protest at the Pullman Planned Parenthood, which drew hundreds of demonstrators, Opgenorth said.
According to the Planned Parenthood of the Greater Washington and North Idaho Twitter feed, a Planned Parenthood tent offered services Sept. 10 outside the Pullman Health Center. The nearest other Planned Parenthood offices are located in Spokane and Walla Walla, Washington.
A Pullman police press release stated that the Arson Alarm Foundation and Northwest Insurance Council is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Any information should be directed to the Pullman police at (509) 334-2249.
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @itshannah7