A man has been arrested for reportedly setting a brush fire near the Port Townsend Post Office, with alleged intentions of breaking more laws.

Port Townsend police officers were dispatched at 10 p.m. Sept. 8 to the post office on a report of a fire in front of the building.

“Upon arrival at the scene, a shrub near the building was on fire exposing the building to flames,” stated Port of Port Townsend Public Information Officer Keppie Keplinger in a press release.

According to officers at the scene of the fire, flames were about 10 to 15 feet high when they arrived.

In a press release issued Sept. 13, officers arrested Jay Baker, 56, on an outstanding warrant for obstructing a law enforcement officer.

“When questioned (Baker) admitted to setting a brush fire at the post office, attempting to set a secondary fire closer to the building and to vandalizing county vehicles,” Keplinger stated in the release.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office records, Baker was booked on four counts of malicious mischief, two counts of arson, theft of a motor vehicle, vehicle prowl and obstructing a law enforcement officer. He is being held on a cash or surety bond of $31,000.

2 other suspicious fires

Officers are still looking for more information on two other suspicious fires that are believed to be unrelated to the post office incident.

Officers were dispatched at 6:15 a.m. Sept. 9 to behind the Food Co-Op after a park bench had been set ablaze.

At 11:15 a.m., officers were dispatched again to the area of Taylor Street on a report of a fire had started in the back seat of a vehicle.

“The vehicle was locked, however, entry was made through a malfunctioning back door,” Keplinger stated. “When officers arrived, the fire had been reduced to a smoldering condition.”

Anyone with information on the incidents is encouraged to contact dispatch at 360-344-9779.