Apartment fire started by explosive device set off intentionally
By Derek Strom
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PULLMAN, Washington (KXLY) — Police arrested a 40-year-old man after he allegedly set fire to his apartment building in Pullman and led officers on a car chase that ended in a three-hour standoff.
According to Pullman Police Department, Elijah Regan intentionally started the fire by setting off an explosion in his apartment on Northwest Larry Street before leaving the scene.
Multiple units were damaged in the fire and several residents are now displaced.
A Whitman County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Regan driving on Highway 194 two hours after the fire started. Police knew Regan was armed with a shotgun.
“We were aware that he was armed with a shotgun. So, we took things very cautiously and we tried to de-escalate the situation to prevent him from being harmed or first responders from being harmed,” said Chief Aaron Breshears of the Pullman Police Department.
During the standoff, Regan fired one shot out of his car window, but police believe the shot was accidental. After three hours, officers successfully arrested Regan without injury.
Police plan to charge Regan with first-degree arson and attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles. He is currently being held in the Nez Perce County Jail because he was technically arrested in Idaho, just across the state border.
On Monday, fire marshals are still cleaning up debris outside the apartment building and helping residents retrieve some of their belongings. However, the building is expected to be a total loss due to extensive smoke and water damage from the fire.
The Red Cross has established a shelter at the Pullman Senior Center for residents displaced by the fire. The organization is providing temporary housing assistance while displaced residents search for permanent housing solutions.
The investigation into the fire remains ongoing as authorities work to finalize charges against Regan and complete the extradition process from Idaho back to Washington state.
No information about Regan’s possible motive has been released.
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