By Heather Spaulding
A year after the fire, Dwight C. Henline, a 33-year-old Friday Harbor man, still awaits trial for arson. Henline pled not guilty on May 26 in the U.S. District Court of Western Washington. The matter was scheduled for June 20, but on March 1, an Unopposed Motion to Continue the Trial Date was filed and signed by United States District Judge John H. Chun. The new date is Oct. 30.
Background:
“On or about April 6, 2022, at San Juan County, within the Western District of Washington, Dwight Christianson Henline maliciously damaged and destroyed, by means of fire, a building that is used in interstate and foreign commerce,” the Complaint for Violation, filed last year in the District Court matter reads. Those buildings include 40 Spring Street, Crystal Seas Kayaking, San Juan Property Management, and San Juan Excursions; 50 Spring Street, Windermere Real Estate; 70 Spring Street, Crow’s Nest Coffee, and 80 Spring Street South, Herb’s Tavern.
In video footage, at 9:53 p.m. April 6, Henline is seen purchasing a bottle of lighter fluid from a local business, and at 10:04 p.m. the flash is visible on CCTV footage where the fire originated. One minute later, a subject matching Henline’s description is seen quickly leaving the area between the Cask & Schooner and Crystal Seas Kayaking before retrieving a suitcase at the bottom of the steps by the Cheesecake Cafe. The same subject then moves toward the walk-on section of the ferry terminal, and at 10:13 p.m. Henline is seen boarding the ferry to Anacortes. At the Anacortes terminal, Henline is seen getting into a waiting sedan.
According to the complaint, a CCTV video that faced toward the rear wooden deck area of Crystal Seas Kayaking shows a bright flash of light at approximately 10:04 p.m. on April 6. The flash of light lasted approximately 34 seconds before diminishing. A crackling sound can also be heard.
“Based upon an analysis of the video, it is the combined opinion of the subject matter experts from ATF National Response Team, that the video depicts fire dynamics consistent with an ignitable liquid,” reads the complaint.
At 3:15 a.m. a CCTV captures an increasing glow, and some seconds later, white smoke.
A citizen catching an early ferry would call 911 after seeing flames, and firefighting crews would spend the rest of the day fighting the blaze that took down three historical buildings.
During their investigation, ATF special agents and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office personnel collected videos analyzed data and interviewed witnesses, the complaint explains, stating “Due to the analysis of the previously stated data, ATF has classified the fire as incendiary. In this context, incendiary means that the fire did not have an accidental or natural cause. Instead, it was intentionally started,” the complaint says.
On April 15 sheriff’s detectives received information that Henline was at a residence in Langley, Washington and attempted to contact him unsuccessfully. A search warrant was served on the residence for evidence of the arson with numerous articles being removed.
Henline was arrested in Langley on April 16.
