ATF NRT Arrives to Investigate Lynnwood Apartment Fire

SEATTLE — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced that its National Response Team (NRT) has joined the investigation into the Lynnwood, Wash., three-alarm structure fire that occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the 19800 block of Scriber Lake Road. 

The Lynnwood Police Department requested the NRT, who arrived today to begin the on-scene investigation. The NRT Team Supervisor is Special Agent Dixon Robin.

Over the next several days, certified fire investigators and other experts will work

alongside local investigators to sift through debris, reconstruct the scene, collect evidence, conduct interviews and attempt to identify an origin and cause of the fire that destroyed an apartment complex. 

“The Seattle Field Division agents and National Response Team bring a wealth of specialized expertise to the scene,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Fidel McCree.  “We are working closely with our Lynnwood Police and Fire Department partners to support the investigation.”

ATF is the sole federal agency with experience and resources to investigate fires and crimes of arson in the United States and its territories. The primary mission of the NRT is to concentrate ATF explosives and fire investigative resources and expertise on large-scale and complex incidents due to the size, scope or number of victims.

Since its inception in 1978, the NRT has deployed 804 times. NRT has deployed seven times in fiscal year 2017, which began Oct. 1, 2016.