Local
Chelan Hills fire killed 69-year-old man, injured six firefighters; five face charges
A wildfire that began near Orondo on July 4 burned about 10,000 acres and more than 100 buildings. Newly released sheriff’s footage shows evacuation efforts and the discovery of Robert Lister’s remains as investigators treated his death as a homicide.
ORONDO, Wash. — Newly released body-camera footage shows Douglas County deputies going door to door to evacuate residents as the Chelan Hills wildfire approached in the early hours of July 4, and later finding the remains of a man who died while trying to flee the blaze.
The fire was reported shortly after midnight. In the footage, a deputy knocks on a home and warns residents that they are under a Level 2 evacuation order. Deputies later staff roadblocks as the fire spreads across thousands of acres.
About 32 hours after the fire began, investigators searching for a missing person found human remains in a burned-out car along the roadside. The person was identified as 69-year-old Robert Lister. Deputies said they were treating the discovery as a homicide scene; Lister died while trying to escape the fire.
The wildfire ultimately burned about 10,000 acres and more than 100 buildings. Six firefighters were injured.
Investigators received tips about people allegedly firing fireworks from a moving truck. They later found social media posts showing people believed to be involved with fireworks, including images of them posing afterward, according to investigative documents.
On Sept. 2, deputies arrested Michael Yakimov, 18, in Kent. He was the first of five people arrested in connection with the fire. Yakimov, Valentin Tabunscic, 18, Julian Mikityuk, 19, David Radchanka, 19, and Mark Okhrimchik, 19, have been charged with first-degree manslaughter, arson, malicious mischief and various assault charges related to the firefighters’ injuries. A sixth suspect remains wanted.
The charges are allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.