18-Year-Old Man Arrested for Fireworks Started Chelan Hills Fire

The exact pinpoint of the fire has not been publicly revealed, but it's believed to have started about a mile north of Orondo, WA, which is 26 miles south of Chelan.

Now An Arrest Has Been Made in Connection With the Deadly Chelan Hills Fire

Wednesday, September 2nd, Douglas County Sheriff's Deputies arrested an 18-year-old man in Kent, WA for his role in the fire.

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Detectives went to Kent, and took Michael Yakimov into custody, without incident. A $25,000 reward had been issued by Douglas County Officials for information leading directly to an arrest. No word if leads or tips helped, but Officials say Yakimov is responsible.

Some Weeks Ago, Officials Said the Blaze Was Started by Fireworks

The fire was first reported about 12:05 AM on July 4th, and some initial reports indicated it was fireworks related. From the beginning it was said to be human-caused.

Yakimov is now facing the following charges according to the DCSO:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree

• Arson in the First Degree

• Malicious Mischief in the First Degree

• Assault in the Third Degree (Six Counts)

The assault charges include injuries to 3 firefighters who had to jump off and flee their fire truck as it was engulfed by flames. The manslaughter charges stem from the death of a 69-year-old Orondo man whose body was found in a burned out vehicle July 5th.

Robert M. Lister, of Orondo, was positively identified as the person in the vehicle. He'd been reported missing by family and friends during the hurried evacuations. Fire crews found his torched vehicle alongside a road not far from US 97, it had slid off into a roadside ditch and was overtaken by the flames and completely destroyed.

Detectives did not directly say Yakimov was setting off fireworks, but he is the person they have arrested. More information is expected to be released soon.