The headquarters of Olympia, Washington label K Records caught on fire on the Fourth of July, Pitchfork has confirmed. K Records owner Calvin Johnson (of Beat Happening) told Pitchfork it was declared “suspicious” by the Olympia Fire Department, and that the police arrested a suspect on Wednesday morning. Find his statement below.
There was a fire at our building, July 4, 2016, 6:00 PM. It was started on the outside of the building, deemed “suspicious” by the Olympia Fire Department. Fortunately they arrived in time to contain and extinguish the fire. In the process they used a chainsaw to cut a hole in the south side of our building, currently covered by plywood. No one was injured in the fire, and no equipment was damaged.
This morning the police arrested a suspect for starting the fire at our building. He is also suspected of starting several other fires in Olympia the same day. The suspect had no knowledge of the occupants or activities inside the building.
Last month, K Records revealed it was trying to sell the building, a former synagogue, after Kimya Dawson, Phil Elverum, and several other musicians came forward earlier this year to say the label owed them owed unpaid royalties.
Source: Pitchfork – News
