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Fire at Bank of America branch in Seattle called suspicious

by JAKE WHITTENBERG / KING 5 News

Bio | Email | Follow: @jakewhittenberg

KING5.com

Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:51 AM

Updated Wednesday, Nov 9 at 9:34 AM

SEATTLE -- Seattle fire investigators are looking into whether a fire at a Bank of America branch in Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood was intentionally set.
 
The fire was reported at around 2 a.m. Wednesday at the bank located in the 4100 block of East Madison Street. When fire fighters arrived, they say an ATM outside the bank was smoldering and fire had spread to the interior of the building.
 
"We believe the fire started at the ATM and it is considered suspicious," said Kyle Moore, spokesman for the Seattle Fire Department. "ATMs don't typically spontaneously combust in the middle of the night."
 
An arson dog did pick up on traces of an accelerant used near the ATM. Debris from the fire will be sent to a crime lab for examination before an official cause is determined. The fire is has not been officially ruled arson.
 
Seattle Police are also investigating and obtaining surveillance video from outside the bank and surrounding businesses to get a clearer picture of how the ATM caught fire.
 
"It could be anything, but arson is the main thing we are looking at," said Moore.

So far there are no suspects.
 
Moore said nearly the entire bank appears to have received smoke damage. A bank manager said the branch would be closed on Wednesday.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 11 of 11

isthisnews said on November 9, 2011 at 5:22 PM

For those complaining about BofA that have accounts there...have you actually tried talking to someone at your local branch about what the changes mean to you and your account specifically? I have multiple accounts there and by no means much money in any of them, but they sat down with me and looked at all of my accounts and helped me figure out the best course of action to avoid fees. I still have three separate accounts there and just switched two over to e-banking and because of my automatic deposit in my main account I still have ZERO fees! Before people react harshly, try talking. I was prepared to close my accounts if needed and was upfront with them about it, but can happily say I have no need to now. I've been burned by a credit union in the past for their own error and would never go back. There's no such thing as a perfect bank, but just find one that works for you and talk to the staff there if you have questions. They just might be more helpful than you think.

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zbaysa said on November 9, 2011 at 2:02 PM

I say this because I am dating someone that works for Bank of America and I really feel for those that work in the branches: Seriously, protesting and complaining about the banks are one thing. The folks that work at the branches have no control of what is happening to the company. If you want to protest, protest in Olympia or DC. If you want to complain to Bank of America, don't complain to your tellers, personal bankers, and your manager. Sure, it sucks that they have these ridiculous fees but do you think that they can change something that they themselves are told to do? Stop harrassing them because they really can't do anything about it. Take it somewhere else. And just like what @eastsiderocks said, just protest by closing your bank accounts.

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eastsiderocks said on November 9, 2011 at 12:58 PM

@tootoo, just saying that violence and property damages is not the answer. Just protest by ending your bank accounts etc... And no, I do not work for BofA or any other bank.

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stryker said on November 9, 2011 at 12:25 PM

Man, I was hoping that it was the whole building that went up in flames.

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kewfly said on November 9, 2011 at 12:03 PM

I dropped my BofA account a few years back due to their fees, as well as the way they treat their customers. Credit Unions are far better than any of the big banks. Their ATM's don't spontaneously combust. ;-)

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sargemcc said on November 9, 2011 at 11:01 AM

I'm not necessarilly condoning violence, but our nation is on the brink of revolution. Our government, financial institutions, and global industries have robbed Americans of the American dream. B of A is no more 'American' then the Euro or yen. Oust every incumbent politician!

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puyallup_leon078 said on November 9, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Time to get away from B of A before my rates go up( without notice) again. They don't mind losing people with small accounts, but I wonder if they will be singing that tune when they lose 75% of their customers.

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anticap said on November 9, 2011 at 8:30 AM

Tragic. Just tragic.

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scott_bellevue said on November 9, 2011 at 8:23 AM

Good. I have no sympathy for BofA. Taking it too far you say? Have you seen how they've bilked America for billions of dollars? I recently tried to sue a bank, and found that they had passed laws in Washington that make it nearly impossible to get an award from a bank. Who has gone too far? You could burn down every single BofA in Washington and I wouldn't shed a tear.

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tootoo said on November 9, 2011 at 7:48 AM

@eastsiderocks: But Bank of America can keep going right? We don't want to ruin their profit machine!

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eastsiderocks said on November 9, 2011 at 5:02 AM

Okay occupy Seattle peeps, you are taking this a little too far. Yes, I am assuming its protesters.

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