Neah Bay: Three questioned and released after being cleared in connection with gas station blaze

NEAH BAY — Makah tribal officials are still investigating the source of a Saturday fire that destroyed the town’s only gas station.

Authorities have not ruled out arson as the cause of the early morning blaze that leveled the Makah Fuel Co. on Bayview Avenue and triggered the explosion of several 55-gallon drums, Neah Bay Police Chief Karl Gilje said Tuesday.

Makah Fuel Co. serves both motorists and boaters in Neah Bay.

“(With) a major fire of a major structure, we always consider arson and investigate it to determine whether or not we focus on the arson aspect,” he said.

Officers questioned and released two men and a male juvenile who “a couple of citizens felt were acting suspiciously,” Gilje said.

Police have cleared them of any involvement in the fire, Gilje said.

Gilje did not release the identities of the three people questioned.

The rest of this story appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

More in News

Priscilla Hudson is a member of the Sequim Prairie Garden Club, which is responsible for clearing a weed- and blackberry-choked 4 acres of land and transforming it into an arboretum and garden known as the Pioneer Memorial Park over the last 70 years. (Emily Matthiessen/for Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Pioneer Memorial Park grows into an arboretum

Granted certification by ArbNet program

Members chosen for pool task force

Locations outside Port Townsend to get closer look

Bidder wins project on lottery drawing

Lake Pleasant pilings to be replaced in July

Corrections officer assaulted as inmate was about to be released

A Clallam County corrections sergeant was allegedly assaulted by… Continue reading

Firefighters rescue hiker near Dungeness lighthouse

Clallam County Fire District 3 crews rescued a man with… Continue reading

Jefferson County law library board seeks public input

The Jefferson County Law Library Board is seeking public… Continue reading

Nonprofits to gather at Connectivity Fair

Local 20/20 will host its 2024 Jefferson County Connectivity Fair… Continue reading

The Port Townsend Main Street Program is planning an Earth Day work party in the downtown area from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Earth Day cleanup events slated for Saturday

A variety of cleanup activities are planned around the North Olympic Peninsula… Continue reading

Sequim Police Department promotes Larsen to sergeant

Maris Larsen, a Sequim Police detective, was promoted to sergeant… Continue reading

Dave Swinford of Sequim, left, and Marlana Ashlie of Victoria take part in a workshop on Saturday about cropping bird photos for best presentation during Saturday’s Olympic Birdfest. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Bird spotting

Dave Swinford of Sequim, left, and Marlana Ashlie of Victoria take part… Continue reading