ROCKPORT, Wash. — Mount Vernon police are searching for a person of interest in connection to a house fire that killed three people in Skagit County.
The fire broke out at a home in the 15000 block of state Route 530 about 5 miles south of Rockport on Aug. 9, according to the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Investigators believe Jason M. Birman, 49, was at the residence leading up to the fire and are trying to locate him.
Birman’s car, a blue 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck, is also missing. The truck has a Washington license plate number C67636L.
Police said Birman is known to frequent Skagit and Whatcom counties and is an avid four-wheeler.
The two-story home was destroyed in the blaze. The three people who were recovered from the house fire are being examined by the Skagit County Coroner’s Office. The forensic examination is expected to be completed later this week.
The address of the home was that of a non-law enforcement, contract employee of Skagit County.
The residence, surrounding buildings and vehicles on the property had extensive damage, which police said made recovery efforts challenging. Skagit County Search and Rescue searched 4.5 acres of heavily wooded area, and the aviation branch of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol conducted aerial reconnaissance.
Anyone who has information about Birman or his truck can call the tipline at (360) 661-2319. Anyone who witnessed the fire or has information on the incident can call the 24-hour dispatch information number at (360) 428-3211. They can also call Mount Vernon police during business hours at (360) 336-6271.