OKANOGAN Investigators haven't said whether they believe the Cold Springs Fire was an accident or arson. But Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley sayshe's pretty sure of one thing: It wasn't started by antifa members.

There are many rumors about how the fire started Sept. 6, the sheriff said Saturday.

People have claimed to see a car driving away from the site where it started or have said that antifa started the fire.

There are plenty of people out there, Im hearing, that theyre presenting information like they saw something. And when you start going, (theyre like), Oh no, so-and-so told me who heard it from so-and-so, Hawley said.

Hawley said he has not seen any social media videos or pictures of anyone starting the fire. If it existed, hes fairly certain hed have seen it by now. But anyone with information should contact the Sheriffs Office at (509) 422-7200.

If somebody does have that and you talked to someone, wed be more than happy to have them come talk to us and show us that video, Hawley said.

It is unlikely that members of antifa started the fire, he said. For one thing, terrorist organizations usually claim ownership, which no one has, he said. AndOkanogan County is not exactly a prime target, he added.

The bang for your buck for terrorism, in Okanogan County I dont think youre quite getting that, Hawley said. It disrupts our community, but youre not disrupting a national scene.

The sheriff said investigators are collecting evidence into the death of Jamie and Jacob Hylands son, in case the cause of the fire is determined and it turns into a criminal case. Detectives can't go back and reassess the scene if it does turn out to be arson, he said.

The Sheriffs Office does not have anyone in custody in connection to the wildfire and the investigation is continuing, he said.

Were still just starting into this investigation, collecting the information we can from the scene where the family was injured, Hawley said.

The state Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire and the Sheriffs Office and Colville Tribal Police are working with them.

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Sheriff says its unlikely antifa started Cold Springs Fire - wenatcheeworld.com