[mappress]

Investigators have determined a fire that caused more than $200,000 damage to a smoke shop and a restaurant north of Lynnwood early this morning was arson.

A deputy reported the fire at 2:48 a.m. after he was flagged down by a citizen who saw smoke coming from a building in the 13900 block of Highway 99 north of the Mukilteo Speedway. 

“When firefighters arrived, they could see smoke was coming from the eaves and flames on the backside of the single-story building, which houses the Tobacco Source and Macchu Picchu Peruvian Restaurant,” said Leslie Hynes, spokesperson for Snohomish County Fire District 1.

Both businesses were closed and no one was inside the building when the fire broke out. There were no injuries. Firefighters had the flames under control in about 15 minutes, Hynes said.

The fire caused heavy damage to a storage room at the rear of the building and extensive smoke damage to the rest of the building.

Investigators have determined the fire was set on the outside at the rear of the building. They ask anyone with information that may help in the investigation to call 1-800-55-ARSON. There is a $10,000 reward from the Arson Alarm Foundation for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist.