Arsonist seen leaving the scene.
A reader shared security footage with us of the arsonist who started the fire in Everett early February 19th, 2025 in the 1900 block of Lombard Avenue in Everett.
In the video below you can see a person standing inside the doorway of one of the houses under construction. A red car drives by right minutes before he sets the fire, but the driver may not have noticed him.
Zoomed in shot of the suspect
The video time marker has a six minute jump to 12:58 a.m. before we see the fire actually going and the arsonist leaving the scene on foot.
The fire starts at the 1 minute and 13 second mark of the video and you can see the suspect walking away.
The suspect appears to be wearing a short sleeve baseball jersey shirt with pants or sweats that are tucked into his white socks.
He appears to be a caucasian male with dark hair and a distinct gait.
The alley appears to be behind Athea’s Footwear, Body Renew Spa, and Definitionz Barber Shop on Broadway, separating the residential area from the commercial area.
Here is the exclusive video:
2/2025 UPDATE: The suspect has been arrested and is in jail for arson, burglary, theft (from yard), and mail theft. The suspect is being held with $155,000 bail.
The suspect, Joseph Wade Smiley Jr., age 27, was arrested on January 9th, 2025 with a six day sentence for reckless burn and malicious mischief by Edmonds police and had a one year jail sentence on June 6th, 2024. He wasn’t able to attend his mail theft hearing as he was in detox.
February 20, 2025
Police Blotter, Everett Fire