Man suspected of causing fire at Pullman apartment building arrested after standoff atop Lewiston Hill

A 40-year-old man, Elijah Regan, was arrested late Sunday night after a standoff on Lewiston Hill following a fire at a Pullman apartment complex. The fire, reported shortly after 5:30 p. m. , led to an evacuation of residents to a shelter at Pullman Presbyterian Church, with no injuries reported. Authorities believe Regan intentionally caused an explosion within his apartment unit, prompting the Spokane County Bomb Squad's involvement.

After a pursuit where Regan drove erratically, he surrendered peacefully near the Idaho state line around 11:40 p. m. He was booked into the Nez Perce County jail on charges of first-degree arson and attempting to elude police. U. S.

Highway 195 was closed for several hours during the incident, disrupting traffic in the area. Numerous local agencies, including Pullman police and fire, Moscow fire, and SWAT teams, coordinated their response to ensure public safety. The incident underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in crisis situations.